News

In its 2022/23 annual report published today, the Rochester Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) reports that the prison continues to provide a safe and decent environment for prisoners, even though there was a small increase in violence and intimidation following the lifting of Covid restrictions. Shortages of prison officers, trainers and other staff impacted on the prison’s ability to fulfil its resettlement function.

A prisoner needing specialist psychiatric care waited 55 days in HMP/YOI Moorland for transfer to hospital, despite a ministerial response to last year’s Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report stating that a draft Mental Health Bill would introduce a statutory limit of 28 days. This year’s IMB report asks whether the Minister can predict when this limit will be passed into law.

The 2022 annual report for HMP Northumberland is now published.

On the 8 August the IMB received a response from the Minister for Prison and Probation to the concerns raised by IMB National Chair, Elisabeth Davies, regarding the safety and regime in the youth estate.

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

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

The following ministerial responses to annual reports are now available to view: High Down 2022, Highpoint 2022, Holme House 2022, Humber 2022, Huntercombe 2022, Leicester 2022-23, Kirklevington Grange 2022

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

Delays in the immigration system have resulted in foreign national prisoners being held past their sentence. While some progress has been made in the last few weeks, the Independent Monitoring Board raises concerns about the psychological impact this may be having on those affected.

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