HMP Durham effectively reduces prisoner self-harm levels, say independent monitors

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) reports over the period 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025, in accordance with the National Monitoring Framework statutory requirements. Throughout the annual reporting period the IMB members, who are highly trained volunteers, visit the prison through a high level of frequent visits observing and monitoring the main aspects within the prison. These are safety, fair and humane treatment, health and wellbeing, progression and release.

2024-25 annual report

Dr Therese Quincey, Chair of the Board at Durham, said, “As in previous years the senior management, staff and stakeholders strive to reform and treat prisoners fairly. They have an ongoing challenge. This reporting year has seen some improvements over the previous year; however, there are still areas that need further development. Members have frequently and systematically observed and monitored throughout the year and have evidenced their conclusions.”

Key Findings:

Safety

• The prison staff have found it necessary to administer use of force on prisoners on 933 occasions. The majority of which are unplanned. This is an increase of 6% over the previous year. Members of the Board attended weekly meetings where individual incidents are reviewed from footage taken on body worn cameras. The Board concluded that the use of force was proportionate.
• There was a significant reduction, 42%, in the number of prisoners self-harming compared to the previous year. Over 80% of incidents were classed by the prison as of low severity. This decrease has been achieved through the work of the safety team and frontline staff.
• Total violence throughout the prison remained at last year’s level of 518 incidents, with a small increase of prisoner on fellow prisoner violence which accounts for 82% of the total. There was a reduction in assaults on staff which accounts for 18% of total assaults.
• HMP Durham investigates incidents of assaults to identify support plans and to help prevent repetition. It also monitors debtors and lenders as debt contributes to violence and self-harm.
• Trafficking of drugs into the prison remains a major concern as not only does it pose a serious health threat but it causes debt and friction between prisoners. This is a constant challenge for prison staff.

Fair and Humane Treatment

• As reported over several years, the overcrowding in the prison through double occupancy of most cells which were built for one prisoner is most unsatisfactory. This is unhygienic and undignified with no privacy for personal matters.
• The Board evidenced that some improvements occurred in the level of decency through improved accountability where prison officers have responsibility for specified blocks of cells.
• The allocation of clothing and bedding for new prisoners falls well below the national standard. In particular, personal clothing items provided are less than half of what the prisoner is entitled to.
• Members of the Board visit the prison kitchen several times each week and are satisfied with the level of hygiene. Members regularly taste the food and consider it to be acceptable given the budget allocated. The prison caters for medical, religious, and cultural dietary requirements.
• The chaplaincy team plays a major role throughout the prison providing extensive support and pastoral care to prisoners, their families, and staff. The team see new prisoners within 24 hours of arrival offering support regardless of religious beliefs.
• It is also involved with all groups and departments, including drug and alcohol abuse plus mental health, in supporting and assisting prisoners throughout their prison journey.

Health and Wellbeing

• The recruitment of healthcare staff at all levels is a constant challenge. It is exasperated by a complex and lengthy vetting process which necessitates the use of agency staff. Staffing pressures curtail some clinics.
• The most frequent prisoner complaint includes delays in receiving medication following admission and not being prescribed medication they were prescribed in the community.
• Waiting times to see healthcare personnel differ monthly due to the high churn in the prison. There are incidents of prisoners not attending appointments and this impacts on waiting times and the availability of healthcare staff to engage with prisoners.
• Throughout the year the healthcare team has offered a range of vaccinations. However, over half of prisoners have not taken up this opportunity.
• There is a lack of prison supervision at medical queues which leads to bullying and increases in threatening behaviour to nursing staff.
• Prisoners needing drug and alcohol rehabilitation are well supported by the drug and alcohol recovery team.

Progression and Release

• Education is provided by an external provider, NOVIS. Individual prisoner needs are assessed, goals set in agreement with the prisoner and personal learning plans are formulated.
• Education is available on a part time basis and qualifications are awarded for achievement. Due to the high proportion of short-term remands not all places are filled.
• Due to inflation the number of classes now available has reduced.
• HMP Durham has an exceptionally good, well stocked library which uses the resources of 39 other libraries and caters for the needs of prisoners of all reading levels.
• There are good opportunities for prisoners to engage in vocational training. As it is not a mandatory requirement the prison struggles to fill the allocated number of places available.
• The offender management unit is responsible for prisoners’ sentence management, planning reviews are conducted regularly. During the reporting year HMP Durham had four prisoners released in error. An amended pre-release check has been implemented.