HM Prison Hollesley Bay

Reports

• NPM-uk-imb-respect1 Jan 2025

  5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food The Board continues to note that some prisoners arriving at Hollesley Bay are unaware that they will usually be required to share a room initially, unless there are health reasons indicating otherwise. After having had their own room/cell in their previous establishment, many then view their move to Hollesley Bay as a backward step. In spite of assurances that sending establishments have this information, the Board’s continuing assessment is that it still is not filtering through to all prisoners. Progressive moves from the induction unit, Wilford, are integral to the sequencing process (a structured, progressive regime that rewards positive engagement through opportunity, pay, privilege and accommodation). However, moves may still necessitate sharing. The ultimate aim for the majority of prisoners, and part of the sequencing process, is an ensuite room on one of the new, bright, modular units. These units offer more independence, with the benefit of well-equipped, communal kitchen areas, where they have the opportunity to prepare and cook their own meals. Older units are showing ever increasing signs of wear and tear and are often in need of investment in ongoing maintenance. The Board also notes continuing signs of rusting metalwork on the new modular units. During the year, the Board has questioned whether some maintenance tasks could be completed by prisoners. However, it accepts that safety and security requirements could at times make [...]

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• NPM-uk-imb-safety1 Jan 2025

  4.1 Reception and induction The reception unit is bright and comfortable, with artwork providing a splash of colour and interest. Staff are observed to be welcoming, which is very important when greeting and processing new arrivals. A reception orderly, who is a Listener (a prisoner trained by the Samaritans to offer confidential emotional support to fellow prisoners), is also present to offer a welcome and support. As noted in our previous report, some prisoners continue to arrive in the evening after staff from the healthcare department have left. This means their medical assessment cannot be completed until the next morning. The Board notes that when this happens, staff tend to be mindful of their duty of care and late arrivals are put on hourly observations in the induction unit. The Duty Governor for the day will, whenever possible, meet all prisoners on their day of arrival. If this not possible, they will meet them the next day. This is an opportunity to discuss any concerns and ensure that there is an understanding of what awaits and expected behaviour. The Governor or Deputy also meets new arrivals at a scheduled weekly session. All arrivals are given an induction booklet to assist with familiarisation about what is offered at Hollesley Bay and to help them find their way around. Some prisoners find it difficult to settle and adjust to the size and openness of the site. The lack of fences may be an issue for some. A few tell us that they feel unable to make the [...]

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• NPM-uk-imb-purposeful-activity1 Jan 2025

  From our observations, the head of education, skills and work has continued to bring enhancements to education and enrichment activities in the prison, reinforcing the ‘good’ score for purposeful activity awarded in the 2024 Ofsted report. The Board has been pleased to note close partnership working with People Plus. Functional skills are emphasised. Levels 1 and 2 maths and English and some IT courses are provided in classroom settings. Although the success rate of the courses has been high, take-up at Level 2 has been disappointing. The Board accepts that the need to attend appointments, access to release on temporary licence (ROTL), other commitments and early release schemes have impacted numbers. The Board has raised concerns repeatedly that a minority of prisoners still arrive at Hollesley Bay after several years in closed conditions without having achieved the most basic levels in literacy and numeracy. We feel strongly that this issue should be addressed earlier and it is pleasing to note that staff share that ambition. A detailed reading strategy is in place, with the emphasis on igniting curiosity. Boxes of books are placed on the units and prisoners are encouraged to help themselves. Wrapped books are offered as mystery reads. A dedicated employee provides reading support. The library is lively, accessible and inviting, in the Board’s view, and is pivotal in developing the reading strategy. A good selection of books and DVDs can be accessed and there are regular [...]

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• NPM-uk-imb-preparation-for-release1 Jan 2024

  As stated earlier, Hollesley Bay prison has, over the past three or four years, followed a co-ordinated and planned approach to prisoners’ lives. Under the general ‘catch-all’ umbrella of sequencing, prisoners are encouraged to look at all aspects of their lives in prison and develop learning, social and community skills to prepare them for their futures outside of prison. 24 In the Board’s view, the establishment has a highly efficient offender management unit (OMU), which, in partnership with its other units, manages the ongoing progression of prisoners towards release. There is a full-time dedicated pre-release team probation officer, who works with the offender management unit to assist with the release planning and community PDUs. The Board notes that prisoners continue to arrive at Hollesley Bay with inadequately completed offender assessments (OASys). The OMU prioritises such cases, but there can be delays in obtaining information and assessments from outside agencies. The reporting year saw 253 case file reviews completed by the psychology team under the enhanced behaviour monitoring (EBM) assessment tool. This compared with 196 in the previous year. Following this, 31 men were placed on EBM, up from seven the year before, an increase of 22.5%. Where appropriate, consideration was given to whether support could best be offered through the offender personality disorder support service (OPD). Some seven men benefited from this service in 2024, with another 11 supported [...]

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• NPM-uk-imb-respect1 Jan 2024

  5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food Some prisoners still seem unprepared for fact that they will probably be required to share a room when they first arrive at Hollesley Bay, unless there are health reasons that indicate otherwise. After having had their own room/cell in their previous establishment, many then view Hollesley Bay somewhat negatively. Although the IMB is assured that sending establishments have this information, the Board’s assessment is that it often does not filter through to those to whom it matters: the prisoners. Progressive moves from Wilford unit are integral to the sequencing process (a structured, progressive regime that rewards positive engagement through opportunity, pay, privilege and accommodation), but may still necessitate sharing. The ultimate aim for the majority of prisoners is an ensuite room on one of the new, bright, modular units, which offers them more independence. These units also have the benefit of well-equipped kitchen areas, where they have the opportunity to prepare and cook their own meals. Approximately 15% of rooms are shared, with the smaller ones offering limited privacy and space. The Board accepts that, when possible, single accommodation is made available. However, we will continue to press for single rooms, which offer privacy and dignity, across the entire Hollesley Bay estate. Older units show signs of wear and tear and are often in need of ongoing maintenance. The Board also notes continuing signs of rusting metalwork on [...]

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• NPM-uk-imb-purposeful-activity1 Jan 2024

  The head of education, skills and work has introduced enhancements to education and enrichment activities in the prison. The IMB has been pleased to note that closer partnership with People Plus has been developed and that the Ofsted report in 2024 awarded a ‘good’ score for purposeful activity in the prison. The strong emphasis on functional skills has been maintained. Level 1 and 2 Maths and English and some IT courses are provided in classroom settings. Whilst the success rate from the courses has been high, take-up at Level 2 has been disappointing. The need to attend appointments, access to release on temporary licence (ROTL), other commitments and early release schemes have impacted numbers. The IMB has raised concerns previously that a minority of prisoners still arrive at Hollesley Bay after several years in closed conditions without having achieved the most basic levels in literacy and numeracy. The IMB feels strongly that this issue should be addressed earlier. A detailed reading strategy has been introduced, with the emphasis on igniting curiosity. Boxes of books are placed on the units and prisoners are encouraged to help themselves. Wrapped books are offered as mystery reads. A dedicated employee provides reading support. The library is accessible and inviting, in the Board’s view, and is pivotal in developing the reading strategy. A good selection of books and DVDs can be accessed and there are regular themed displays available. The library has received [...]

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• NPM-uk-imb-safety1 Jan 2024

  4.1 Reception and induction Whenever the IMB visits the reception unit, it is found to be bright and comfortable. Artwork in the waiting area provides a splash of colour. Staff are welcoming, which is obviously important when processing new arrivals. A reception orderly, who is a Listener (a prisoner trained by the Samaritans to offer confidential emotional support to fellow prisoners), is also present to offer a welcome and support. Some prisoners continue to arrive in the evening after staff from the healthcare department have left. This means their medical assessment cannot be completed until the next morning. Staff are mindful of their duty of care and late arrivals are put on hourly observations in the induction unit. While Hollesley Bay is willing to accept late arrivals, the Board would suggest that these should be avoided whenever possible. The Duty Governor for the day will, whenever possible, meet all prisoners on their day of arrival. If this not possible, they will meet them the next day. This is an opportunity to discuss any concerns and ensure that there is an understanding of what awaits and expected behaviour. The Governor or Deputy also meets new arrivals at a scheduled weekly session. All arrivals are given an induction booklet to assist with familiarisation about what is offered at Hollesley Bay and to help them find their way around. Some prisoners report that it can take quite a while to adjust to the size and openness of the site. In particular, the [...]

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