Upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Birmingham
Complaint category:
Property
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that some of their property had been lost by HMP Birmingham on transfer. The IPCI investigation established although a PER had been completed, it had no detail of any bags transferred or the seal numbers, therefore it was impossible to establish what had been transferred or what had been lost.
Recommendations/outcome:
We recommended that the prisoner receive compensation based on what he reasonably had in possession prior to the transfer and which was not subsequently listed as arriving at the new establishment.
Upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP North Sea Camp
Complaint category:
Categorisation, progression & release preparation
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained about the delays to the completion of his application for ROTL. The investigation established that the community offender manager had not completed the required contribution within the four-week window, and this was because the case had been reallocated and overlooked.
Recommendations/outcome:
The relevant community manager accepted responsibility for staff failings, and to address the issue with the relevant member of staff. During the course of the investigation a successful ROTL application was completed.
Partially Upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Whatton
Complaint category:
Administration
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained about a delay to a response relating to published servery times. Our investigation established that during the period of his complaint the complaints clerk had left the service which had resulted in some disruptions to complaint handling.
Recommendations/outcome:
We are satisfied that following changes to staffing, there are now robust complaints handling processes in place.
Upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Lincoln
Complaint category:
Property
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that his property had been lost by HMP Lincoln. During the course of the IPCI investigation the prison accepted they had not completed the correct cell clearance process and offered compensation for the items the prisoner lost.
Recommendations/outcome:
We agreed that the compensation offered accurately reflected a reasonable cost for replacement of the items.
Upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Featherstone
Complaint category:
Property
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that his property had been lost by HMP Featherstone on transfer to Stoke Heath. The IPCI investigation established that his property was not listed on the PER, and instead been sent on to his new establishment by courier. There was no evidence of what had been sent on or any other way to establish what had been sent or arrived.
Recommendations/outcome:
We recommended that the prisoner receive compensation based on what he reasonably had in possession prior to the transfer and which was not subsequently listed as arriving at the new establishment.
Upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Swaleside
Complaint category:
Accommodation, food, education & other facilities
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that they did not receive the meals they ordered from the menu.
Recommendations/outcome:
The prison discussed the prisoners dietary requirements with the kitchen staff to ensure that he received meals that met his requirements and confirmed they would monitor the situation going forward.
Partially upheld complaint against the Governor at HMP Lewes
Complaint category:
Staff behaviour
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained he had been bullied, harassed and victimised by a member of staff and that his cell bell was not answered within the correct timeframe. While there was no evidence to support allegations of bullying, harassment and victimisation, the investigation found grounds to uphold the complaint in relation to the cell bell not being answered.
Recommendations/outcome:
IPCI had made recommendations to resolve the issue with cell bells at HMP Lewes in another case report, issued in parallel to this case report.
Partially upheld complaint against the Governor at HMP Lewes
Complaint category:
Administration
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained he had not had access to a GP while in the Care & Separation Unit (CSU) in line with the requirements of HMPPS policy.
Recommendations/outcome:
IPCI partially upheld the complaint but did not make recommendations because the prison had since accepted its failings and taken steps to rectify the situation.
Upheld complaint against the Governor at HMP Wakefield
Complaint category:
Visits, calls & letters
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that his mail had gone missing and that this constituted a data breach. The prison was not able to provide any evidence as to whether the mail had been received or not, as they did not have a system in place for prisoners to sign to confirm receipt of their mail.
Recommendations/outcome:
The complaint was upheld because of the lack of evidence provided by the prison. However, the prison has since amended its procedures to avoid this issue happening again in future.
Upheld complaint against the Governor at HMP Wakefield
Complaint category:
Visits, calls & letters
Month investigation completed:
May
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that he had not received his mail on several occasions. The prison was not able to provide any evidence as to whether the mail had been received by the prisoner or not, as they did not have a system in place for prisoners to sign to confirm receipt of their mail.
Recommendations/outcome:
The complaint was upheld because of the lack of evidence provided by the prison. However, the prison has since amended its procedures to avoid this issue happening again in future.
