IMB report highlights lack of progress on transfer of prisoners needing mental health care at HMP/YOI Moorland

A prisoner needing specialist psychiatric care waited 55 days in HMP/YOI Moorland for transfer to hospital, despite a ministerial response to last year’s Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report stating that a draft Mental Health Bill would introduce a statutory limit of 28 days.
By Stephanie Bateman
Published 11th Aug 2023, 01:00 GMT
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

This year’s IMB report asks whether the Minister can predict when this limit will be passed into law.

The Board also reported:

IPP prisoners (those detained for an indeterminate period for public protection) are unable to access programmes recommended by the Parole Board due to staffing shortages, having a direct impact on chance of release.

Inside HMP MoorlandInside HMP Moorland
Inside HMP Moorland
Most Popular
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The number of prisoners allowed to be held in Moorland has increased by 94, but this increase has not been matched by additional staffing or resource, impeding the provision of one-to-one key work sessions with prisoners.

Prisoners lack confidence in management of complaints concerning allegations of discrimination. The number of written representations received by the Board regarding negative prisoner/staff relationships increased during the reporting year.On a better note:

There’s been an improvement in resettlement planning, with better co-ordination of activities to support this within the prison. Relationships built with potential employers are also having a positive impact on resettlement opportunities.

De-escalation measures have been successful, leading to a marked reduction in the recorded use of force.IMB Moorland Chair, Dr Jenny Bywaters, said: “Moorland prison is moving in the right direction, and we are confident that the Governor shares our concerns about what needs to improve. Additional resources are needed to address some issues caused by the rising prison population, and government action is needed on wider problems, such as the interface with NHS psychiatric provision.”