News

In its 2022-23 report, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) highlights further, positive progress towards the operation of an effective and humane regime, and meeting its objectives as a rehabilitation and resettlement prison, with increased focus on education, training and employment opportunities.

The following ministerial responses to annual reports are now available to view: Altcourse 2022-23, Ashfield 2022-23, Aylesbury 2022-23, Buckley Hall 2022-23, Bullingdon 2022-23, Dartmoor 2022-23, Portland 2022-23, Swansea 2021-22, Wayland 2022-23

The 2022-23 annual report for HMP/YOI Chelmsford is now published.

The 2022-23 annual report for HMP/YOI Hatfield is now published.

The 2022-23 annual report for HMP The Verne is now published

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.