News

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at Wetherby Young Offenders Institution (YOI) raises a number of concerns in its 2022-23 annual report, most notably regarding the high levels of violence. The number of serious assaults perpetrated against staff or between young people impacts the running of the establishment, resulting in less time out of room and an unpredictable regime, understandably leading to increased feelings of frustration and uncertainty amongst young people.

Due to a lack of alternative provision, the prison service is too often using segregation as a way of managing and caring for prisoners with severe mental health needs.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP Channings Wood highlights in its 2022-23 annual report the detrimental effects of a prison system failing to cope. Despite a committed leadership and hard-working staff, failing infrastructure and a rising prison population hampers the provision of safe and decent conditions for prisoners and the prison’s ability to perform its function as a training and resettlement prison, preparing prisoners for release.

The latest annual report from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP Hewell highlights the same key concerns as last year, evidencing little commitment from ministers to tackle systemic issues such as overcrowding or poor mental health provision. An over-reliance on short custodial sentences, and lengthy periods on remand due to failures of the court system, have continued to impact the prison's ability to provide rehabilitative activities, or necessary resettlement services, to reduce chances of reoffending and keep communities safe.

The 2022-23 annual report for HMP Bure is now published.

For women leaving HMP/YOI Bronzefield the lack of safe and sustainable accommodation post release has been a serious concern for a number of years.  The transition from imprisonment to normal life already poses a significant challenge for many women, a lack of housing options not only puts these women at risk of homelessness, but also raises concerns about their well-being and future prospects. 

The 2021-22 annual report for HMP Swansea is now published.

The following ministerial responses to annual reports are now available to view: Bristol 2022-23, Doncaster 2020-22, Hull 2022-23, New Hall 2022-23, Nottingham 2022-23, Thameside 2022-23, Usk and Prescoed 2022-23.

Overcrowding, a failure to invest in important services, and staff shortages over the past year have severely impacted the regime at HMP Dartmoor. The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) concludes in its annual report for 2022/23 that the prison is neither sustainable, humane, fair, or safe.

The 2022-23 annual report for HMP Wayland is now published.