HMP Frankland

Reports

• Independent Monitoring Board12 Apr 2025

  Hashem Abedi (Manchester Arena bombing conspirator) attacked staff with boiling water and home-made weapons; three officers injured.

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• HMIP4 Mar 2024

  Frankland prison, situated outside Durham and adjacent to Low Newton women’s prison, is one of a handful of high security establishments capable of holding dangerous men who have committed the most serious crimes. An extensive site and a complex institution, at the time of the inspection the prison held 821 men, many of whom were serving indeterminate sentences including life, and a small number who would never be released. The complexity of the institution, and in particular the security challenges faced, was evidenced by the 258 prisoners who were designated category A, 13 of whom were considered high risk. The prison also operated several specialist facilities, including a wing dedicated to the treatment of men with severe personality disorders (the Westgate unit), a separation centre and close supervision centre: these two centres were not inspected during this visit as they are subject to separate inspection arrangements. We last inspected Frankland in 2020 when we reported on a very capable institution that was achieving reasonably good outcomes against all four of our healthy prison tests. At this inspection, and despite the upheavals of recent years, we are pleased to report similar findings, with outcomes against our four tests again all assessed as reasonably good. The prison was safe with, for example, fewer assaults recorded than at similar establishments and less use of force. The jail had a very well-resourced and sophisticated approach to the management of security, while structures, interventions, and incentives to promote positive behaviour were reasonably effective. The prison had, with some success, also focused on reducing self- harm, although one prisoner had taken his own life in recent years, while two more took their own lives during and shortly after our inspection. In our survey, half of all respondents also indicated they had felt unsafe at some time during their stay, which was high and perhaps indicative of the context and the challenges of being held in a prison such as Frankland. The prison was fully staffed, with a good mix of experienced and less experienced staff. Most prisoners felt respected by the staff group, the majority of whom exhibited confidence and competence in their roles. These capabilities were used positively in the various specialist staff roles, as well as in the quality of key work and staff-prisoner relationships, which were a real strength of the institution. The general environment and standards of cleanliness were reasonable, although some parts of the prison were clearly in need of update and investment. Access to amenities and resources were similarly reasonable, while consultation, peer support and arrangements to support redress were all effective. The promotion of equality, however, was limited and was an area that leaders needed to reprioritise. Other areas requiring improvement included the need to increase time out of cell and provide more activity places. In mitigation, our colleagues in Ofsted judged most outcomes and the overall effectiveness of learning and skills provision to be ‘good,’ which is better than we usually see. Similarly, the library and PE department were very active and very popular. The prison was also facilitating evening association, and routines were reliable and predictable. The approach to risk and sentence management, interventions to support progress and risk reduction and public protection were all very effective. This is a good report that again describes Frankland as a calm and well-run prison. Despite the complexities, leaders and staff were clear about their priorities and mission. There was something of a traditional feel about the culture among both leaders and staff, who knew what they were doing and were at ease in their role. This did not negate some very progressive and imaginative initiatives in the prison. Another feature of the very good leadership was strong

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• HMIP13 Jan 2020

  Full inspection of HMP Frankland (2020-01-13)

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