Upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Lancaster Farms
Complaint category:
Prison behaviour
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained he had been assaulted by another prisoner and was not satisfied with how the prison responded to the incident. Our investigation found wing staff could have acted to stop the situation escalating. The incident was not recorded on either prisoner’s NOMIS, and the level of support given to the prisoner following the incident fell below the expected standard of duty of care.
Recommendations/outcome:
We asked that apology be issued to the prisoner, and for the Governor to issue notices to staff regarding NOMIS entries and ensuring spot check quality assurance checks are done.
Upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Stocken
Complaint category:
Administration
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained about his request for an OASys assessment being returned to him by staff without being actioned, and not in an envelope. The request contained sensitive information that could have been seen by anyone on the wing. Our investigation concluded that the correct process for responding to a request of disclosure of information was not followed.
Recommendations/outcome:
We asked the Governor at Stocken to apologise to the prisoner for the lack of confidentiality in the handling of this request. We also asked that staff be reminded of the correct procedure to respond to a request for disclosure of information from a prisoner, and of the process which should be followed when the Offender Subject Access Request Team refer a request for disclosure of information back to the prison for action. We hold the view that this complaint should have been resolved by the prison without reference to IPCI.
Upheld complaint against the Director of HMP Parc
Complaint category:
Property
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained about the loss of property when he moved from HMP Parc to HMP Isle of Wight.
Recommendations/outcome:
We were disappointed that it took for IPCI issue a draft formal report on this matter before the Director in HMP Parc agreed to pay the prisoner £49.99 compensation for the lost property, which was a full settlement of their claim. We hold the view that this complaint should have been resolved by the prison without reference to IPCI.
Upheld against the Governor in HMP IOW
Complaint category:
Accommodation, food, education & other facilities
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained about the use of a certain de-scaler in the recess areas of his wing, which were causing him a skin sensitivity.
Recommendations/outcome:
We partially upheld the complaint but made no recommendations as HMP IOW were taking action to address the issue.
Partially upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Long Lartin
Complaint category:
Property
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that a large amount of his property went missing when was moved to Segregation. Our investigation found that the prison had failed to record the items on a cell clearance certificate.
Recommendations/outcome:
We partially upheld his complaint and asked the Governor to pay the prisoner £373 to compensate him the items unaccounted for.
Upheld against the Governor in HMP Berwyn
Complaint category:
Administration
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained about the amount of time it was taking Berwyn to respond to his complaints. During our investigation we were made aware that comprehensive review of the local complaints process had recently taken place.
Recommendations/outcome:
We upheld the complaint and noted that an apology for the delay in responses had been made by the Head of BCU. We hold the view that this complaint should have been resolved by the prison without reference to IPCI.
Upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Wakefield
Complaint category:
Accommodation, food, education & other facilities
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that he was not getting his minimum daily entitlement of 30 minutes in the open air due to poor management of regime. Our investigation found there were some occasions where prisoners in the Education Department did not receive their full entitlement of time in the open air.
Recommendations/outcome:
We recommended that the prison address this issue to ensure prisoners are able to access open air in line policy.
Partially upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Woodhill
Complaint category:
Staff behaviour
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that he was assaulted by prison officers in his cell, and that the incident was not investigated properly by the prison. Our investigation found flaws in the way the prison had dealt with this complaint, including the appropriate use of Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVC) and the completion of Use of Force statements.
Recommendations/outcome:
We partially upheld the complaint and asked the Governor of HMP Woodhill to provide a written apology to the prisoner for the handling of his complaint. We asked that a clear and deliverable plan is developed for the correct use of Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVC); that relevant staff be reminded of the need to complete Use of Force statements within 72 hours. We further raised concerns with the Governor about the importance of responding to requests for information from IPCI so as to not hinder the investigation and ensuring quality assurance processes in place for responses to prisoner complaints, particularly in relation to Use of Force and allegations of assault.
Partially upheld complaint against the Governor of HMP Ranby
Complaint category:
Property
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained that he had not received several items of his property after he was transferred from HMP Woodhill to HMP Ranby. A missing bag containing items, which had been in stored property at Woodhill, had not been located.
Recommendations/outcome:
We asked that the prisoner be compensated for the missing items given that the items were in stored property and the prisoner could not have been responsible for the loss.
Partially upheld complaint against the Governor at HMP Warren Hill
Complaint category:
Staff behaviour
Month investigation completed:
April
Year investigation completed:
2024
The prisoner complained about decisions made by his POM, which he believed had impacted his progression. He also complained the prison had not responded in line with the Complaints Policy Framework. Our investigation found the POM’s assessment to be thorough and proportionate but staff had not correctly followed the Complaints Policy Framework.
Recommendations/outcome:
We asked the prison to provide evidence of amendments to their own procedures.
