HMP Haverigg managing well despite a large population increase

There has been a significant increase in the number of prisoners at Haverigg over the year, with the population rising by more than 50% as a result of transfers from the wider prison estate. Despite this challenge, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) believes that the prison remains a safe environment and that prisoners are treated fairly by staff.

In its latest annual report, the Haverigg IMB notes that:

• The prison maintained a strong focus on education, vocational skills and enrichment activities, with 714 formal qualifications achieved by prisoners during the reporting year, helping them progress towards successful resettlement.
• The introduction of a Link Worker scheme towards the end of the reporting year further strengthened relationships between staff and prisoners. Prisoners met with their Link Worker twice a month, giving them access to consistent and constructive support.
• Healthcare staff have continued to deliver high standards of care despite staff shortages and the high influx of prisoners.

However, the Board remains concerned that:

• During the reporting year Haverigg housed 42 prisoners serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences. These men have no certainty over their release and the Board considers this to be inhumane.
• Prisoners’ personal property continues to be lost, especially when transferring between prisons. For those who have so little, personal property is of great importance, especially that which has sentimental value, and its loss can have a detrimental effect on prisoners’ wellbeing.

IMB Haverigg Chair, Phil Bishop, said:

“We commend the work prison management and staff are doing to provide a safe and progressive environment for prisoners despite the challenges faced with an increasing population. The Board, however, remains concerned about the ongoing incarceration of IPP prisoners who face an uncertain future. We consider this situation to be degrading and a cause of psychological distress. Although the Governor and prison staff continue to do all they can to support IPP prisoners, we believe the Prisons’ Minister should bring forward a re-sentencing exercise as recommended by the Parliamentary Justice Committee in 2022.

We also note that despite the introduction of a new framework, prisoners’ personal property continues to go missing on a frequent basis, most notably during transfer between prisons. We call on the Prison Service to improve performance in this key area given the impact it is having on prisoners.”