HM Prison Stoke Heath

Reports

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

  Each prisoner coming to Stoke Heath is assigned a prison offender manager (POM), who is their link to sentence progression and eventual release. The POM is supported by key workers. These are prison officers who help prisoners with any issues in the prison and provide a link to their POM. Prisoners should be seen once a fortnight, but the IMB has noted instances where prisoners tell us that they have either never seen their key worker or have not seen one in six months. The role of the key worker is an important bridge between prisoner and prison and they can often pick up issues at an early stage. Prisoners have often reported to the IMB the difficulty of having contact with their POM. This is not surprising, as prison offender managers have been under immense pressure to facilitate the many prisoners from early release schemes and prisoners who are not from the West Midlands region, as well as manging with a shortage of POMs. Prisoners will often need to complete courses (such as anger management) as part of their sentence progression. Not all these courses are available at Stoke Heath, so a transfer to another prison is required. These transfers have been difficult to arrange because of the population pressure. There needs to be a better process that allows these temporary transfers to take place. The new ‘Building Choices’ course will not be available in Stoke Heath until December 2025, and it is telling that there are no figures available to understand how many [...]

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• NPM-uk-imb-progression1 Jan 2024

  To meet the strategic objective as a training and resettlement prison, Stoke Heath must provide prisoners with accessible, engaging and purposeful activities in a safe and supportive environment. However, with reoffending rates nationally at 27.4%, training and resettlement has never been more important.

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

  Library The library has a good selection of books and supports initiatives elsewhere in education such as ‘Author of the month’. Library staff tell us that the library is used by 60% of prisoners. Prisoners have been encouraged to read more by being offered bonuses based on the number of books they have read and the number of book reviews they have completed. The charity, The Shannon Trust, helps prisoners with their first steps in learning numeracy and English. They have helped over 50 prisoners over the year, aided by four red band (trusted prisoners with specific jobs and privileges) volunteers. A new satellite library has been installed in the education building as part of the new high street initiative, so prisoners have easier access to library facilities whilst in education. Education About a third of prisoners (31%) at Stoke Heath have neurodivergent needs. Whilst neurodiversity covers a wide range of needs, the most common is for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and dyslexia (a learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and writing skills). The neurodiversity support manager reviews the environment that may best assist those with need and enables access to suitable activities within the prison, such as, for example, extra support by red bands (trusted men who support new prisoners and provide initial peer support) or easy-read documents. Every new prisoner is given a curriculum pathway, with the aim of achieving Level 3 in English and maths. [...]

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• NPM-uk-imb-respect1 Jan 2024

  5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food From the Board’s observations, the prison works hard at maintaining a decent living space. However, it is often hampered by the age of the accommodation and available finances to maintain the estate to an acceptable standard. There is a working system to request repairs, as well as a constant effort to improve the decoration and tackle water ingress in some wings. Conditions in the double cells remain very basic, with a bunk bed, washbasin and toilet, which is screened only by a curtain. Some double cells are only six by four feet. There is little room for manoeuvre in these cells, which can be very warm in the summer months and cold in the winter. There is no means to control the temperature on the wings. The heating is either on full or off. The Board believes that all these factors could be regarded as inhumane treatment. The Board continues to be concerned about the inadequacy of the prison’s facilities for people with mobility issues. For example, there is no means of fixing grab handles in showers for disabled prisoners and there is restricted access in healthcare and education. This was highlighted in the previous two reports, but nothing has changed. The overall condition of the healthcare building needs updating. It has not been redecorated for six years. Some rooms have carpets and floors that cannot be cleaned. We believe that cleaning is not up to standard for a healthcare building. The main kitchen at HMP/YOI Stoke Heath has [...]

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• NPM-uk-imb-safety1 Jan 2024

  4.1 Reception and induction Last year, the IMB reported that prisoners were arriving late in the day, which caused difficulties in providing appropriate induction. This has been addressed, and an officer is detailed until the evening, which allows the necessary duties to be undertaken and prisoners to receive the proper and full induction. On arrival, each prisoner has a full body scan, which helps to reduce the quantity of drugs and illicit items entering the prison. The introduction of a baggage scanner also helps with this aim. Nevertheless, the problem with drugs making their way into the prison is ongoing and prisoners tell us that drugs are readily available if they want them. Prisoners who show a positive indication on the body scanner go directly to the segregation and reintegration unit (SRU). Healthcare is not always able to make timely assessments for these prisoners, as IT systems are not compatible there. Officers and red band prisoners (those who have earned a privileged working role) give new prisoners induction in their first few days at the prison. The induction process also covers the work of the IMB. The Board has produced a leaflet, which is included in the induction brochure given to each prisoner. 4.2 Suicide and self-harm, deaths in custody Deaths and suicide There have been four deaths in custody during the year. Two deaths occurred in the prison (pending inquest outcomes): one occurred in hospital (of suspected natural causes) and one occurred within [...]

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