Food for thought at HMP Oakwood

In its 2023-24 annual report published on 23 August 2024, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for HMP Oakwood has reported that prisoners continued to have major concerns about the food provided. The Board also highlighted the need for greater mental health support and continuing issues with prisoner property going missing.

The IMB notes that:

• In January 2024 the Board conducted a survey across the prison, gathering the men’s views on food provision. Of the prisoners who responded, 94% said the overall quality of food was bad or very bad, and 68% said they did not have enough to eat at mealtimes.
• There was insufficient mental health support. There was a 22% increase in incidents of self-harm during the reporting year and a 40% increase in the number of assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) records opened, used to support prisoners at risk of self-harm and suicide. All prisoners who required transfers to a secure mental health facility had to wait over the 28-day stipulated timeframe.
• Property was, again, both the biggest cause for complaint in the prison complaints system and in applications (prisoners’ written representations) received by the Board. Far too often prisoners were transferred to or from Oakwood without their personal property, which may be of sentimental value or irreplaceable, causing them a great deal of frustration and upset.
• Of the approximately 130 men that were released from Oakwood each month, one in eight were released homeless. Furthermore, the proportion of prisoners entering employment on release rarely deviated from one in five.

However, the Board is also pleased to report that:

• The care and separation unit (segregation) was well managed and offered a fair regime. The Board observed staff providing high levels of care and support.
• The visits and family intervention team offered over 27,000 hours for social visits and 8,000 social video calls. This had a positive impact on prisoners’ wellbeing.
• The Board is of the view that the prison was, generally, a safe and secure environment for prisoners. Accommodation was very well maintained, and prisoners were supported in their preparation for release.

IMB HMP Oakwood Chair, Barbara Evans, said:

“The IMB at HMP Oakwood has reported on a great deal of good practice taking place at the prison. The accommodation was maintained to a good standard, the prisoners kept the grounds immaculate, and there continued to be many prisoner-led initiatives that supported prisoners through their sentence.

There have, however, been some issues of concern which the IMB has bought to the attention of the Director and the Minister, namely the problems with property losses, the lack of secure mental health provision, and the food provided in the prison. We are pleased to report, however, that the Director and his staff team have been working on food improvements as far as they are able to within the budget that is made available – the Board will continue to monitor this over the upcoming reporting year.”