.INDEPENDENT
MONITORING BOARD
HMP Eastwood Park
ANNUAL REPORT
1 November 2013 – 31 October 2014
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Statutory Role of the IMB
The Prison Act 1952 and the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 require every prison to be
monitored by an Independent Board appointed by the Secretary of State from members of
the community in which the prison or centre is situated.
The Board is specifically charged to:
1. Satisfy itself as to the humane and just treatment of those held in custody within its
prison and the range and adequacy of the programmes preparing them for release.
2. Inform promptly the Secretary of State, or any official to whom he has delegated
authority as it judges appropriate, any concern it has.
3. Report annually to the Secretary of State on how well the prison has met the
standards and requirements placed on it and what impact these have on those in
custody.
To enable the Board to carry out these duties effectively its members have right of access to
every prisoner and every part of the prison and also to the prison’s records.
The Independent Monitoring Board at Eastwood Park is committed to treating all those with
whom it interacts with respect and fairness regardless of such factors as disability, race
including ethnic or national origins, colour and nationality, sex and sexual orientation, religion
or belief, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment.
******
NOTE: most statistics herein are provided by HMP Eastwood Park and have not been
separately verified by the Board.
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Contents
Page
Role of the IMB
1
Description of HMP Eastwood Park
4
Executive Summary Overview
6
New Concerns from this reporting year
6
Issues of concern unaddressed from previous year
7
Issues to be addressed by the Secretary of State
7
Operational Issues for NOMS
7
Areas of Focus for the Annual Report
Equality and Inclusion
8
Education, Learning and Skills
10
Health and Mental Health
12
Substance Misuse Psychosocial Team
13
Purposeful Activity
14
Resettlement
15
Safer Custody
16
Segregation, Care and Separation and Close Supervision
17
Residential Services
18
Visits
19
Reception
20
Appendix 1 Table of IMB Statistics
Appendix 2 Table of Applications to the IMB
Appendix 3 List of Community Sector Groups
Appendix 4 Additional organisations attending resettlement fayres.
21
22
23
28
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
1.
Description of HMP Eastwood Park
1.1.
HMP/YOI Eastwood Park is a female closed local prison situated mid-way between
Gloucester and Bristol by the village of Falfield, South Gloucestershire. Originally
opened as a Juvenile Detention Centre in 1967, it was converted into a closed
women’s prison in March 1996.
1.2.
The prison has capacity for both adult and young adult prisoners comprising those
on remand or serving short sentences. Eastwood Park operates a Mother and
Baby unit, a Substance Misuse unit and a Drug Recovery unit. In January 2015, a
Personality Disorder unit (‘Nexus’) will open in residential unit 10. Residential units
1 and 3 are to be refurbished and reopened in 2015 increasing prisoner places by
78.
1.3.
Eastwood Park covers a wide catchment area extending over South Wales, the
South, the Southwest, and the Midlands. It is the ‘local’ prison to 72 courts, the
furthest up to 180 miles away. About half of its prisoners come from Wales.
1.4.
The Operational Capacity of Eastwood Park is 363 prisoner places with the
Certified Normal Allocation of 315 places. 84 places are available on the Substance
Misuse unit. There are 293 adult places, 58 young offender places, and 12 places
for mothers and up to 13 babies.
1.5.
Women’s prisons are moving towards longer stay Resettlement prisons and the
length of stay at Eastwood Park has increased. Figures taken between Feb-April
2014 have an average of 51 days (excluding those staying over 6 months) which is
an increase on last year’s 39 days. When those staying over 6 months are included
the figure moves up to 76 days. Just under 21% of prisoners stay for less than 29
days.
1.6.
The average prison population in the last year has been approximately 335 which is
an increase on last year when it was about 320.
1.7.
There has been approximately a 65:35 split between sentenced and remand
prisoners over the last year. The previous two years the split was approximately a
70:30.
1.8.
Total Receptions between January and December 2014 were approximately 4396.
The average daily Receptions being 12 in that period.
1.9.
A high percentage of women have continued to be admitted with mild to severe
mental health problems. There were 699 referrals to Mental Health in the reporting
year.
1.10.
Around 65% of prisoners received into Eastwood Park have received support and
interventions for substance misuse (drug and alcohol misuse).
1.11.
There are over 40 organisations that provide support and assistance to prisoners.
Twenty five of them come into the prison to work directly with the women on a
regular basis. Intervention fairs, which take place quarterly, enable prisoners to
make contact with organisations which may help them on release. (See the
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Appendices 3 and 4 for a list of some of the organisations which work with the
prisoners).
1.12.
The Education provider since 2012 is Weston College. Tribal provided the National
Career service until September 2014, when Prospects were awarded the new
contract. The service is being provided by sub-contractors - the Restore Trust.
1.13.
Bristol Community Health (BCH), provides medicine management and nursing
cover. Avon and Wiltshire Partnership Trust (AWP) is responsible for mental health
and substance misuse interventions and administrative support. Hanham Health
provides the GP cover for Eastwood Park. Lloyds Pharmacy provides the
medication. The services of dentist, optician, midwives, and sonographer, etc are
commissioned separately. The contracts are to be reviewed in April 2016.
1.14.
There is no Segregation/Separation and Care unit. Those on Good Order or
Discipline (GOOD) or cellular confinement are located in their cells on the wings.
1.15.
The regime at Eastwood Park is diverse and offers a variety of activities. These
include working as orderlies for housing, gym, education and interventions,
diversity, reception, and basic Physical Education. The Education Department
offers basic skills, wider key skills, industrial cleaning, cooking, nail art and makeup, painting and decorating, peer mentoring, office IT Skills and business
enterprise. An Activities Team works with key stakeholders to reduce re-offending:
these include education, offender management, health (including mental health)
services, and children and family support. Voluntary and community sector
organisations work in the prison to meet the complex and individual needs of the
prisoners and to offer them a range of resettlement provision. A soap making
enterprise is proving both successful and popular, with a recent arrangement to
supply soap to The House of Lords.
1.16.
Eastwood Park recycles much of its waste and has acted to reduce the amount of
waste produced. “Big Hannah”, a food digester, turns the food waste into compost
and a second machine was installed in May 2014.
1.17.
It has been proposed that Eastwood Park will pilot becoming a smoke free prison.
However, no date has been set for implementation. Vapour cigarettes are available
through the prisoner canteen.
1.18.
The changes to the National Incentives, Earnings and Privileges (IEP) scheme
came in at the start of the reporting year.
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Executive Summary
2.
Overview
2.1
The Board is generally satisfied that prisoners at HMP Eastwood Park are treated
fairly and decently by staff. The Board commends the prison staff at Eastwood Park
who demonstrate caring and mindfulness in their treatment of often very difficult
prisoners under trying circumstances.
2.2
There was a full inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons (HMIP) in
November 2013. Eastwood Park was given high scores; 4 for Safety, 4 for Respect,
3 for Purposeful Activity, and 3 for Resettlement. In the HMPS 2013/14 performance
ratings HMP Eastwood Park was ranked as a level four prison, a top performing
prison, one of only sixteen in the country.
2.3
The Board is pleased to report on a number of positive changes at Eastwood Park
during the reporting year. These include the reclassification of several residential
units as Category C status, giving prisoners more freedom and access to selfcatering; a new violence reduction protocol; increased use of peer support systems
such as e.g. violence reduction representative; increase in the Mental Health
provision and increased use of Release On Temporary License (ROTL).
2.4
The Board received 219 recorded applications from prisoners during the year. This
was an increase on the total of 201 from the previous year. Two themes stood out Healthcare and issues relating to release. Property related issues were the next most
frequent followed by education/employment and staff/prisoner relations. In
comparison to previous years there had been an increase in applications relating to
health (20 to 33) and sentence related issues (14 to 32). There have been decreases
in relation to residential services, food and staff/prisoner relations. (See Appendix 2
Page 22 for a full list)
3.
New concerns from this reporting year
3.1
Unacceptably tight staffing levels - the prison has been operating at Minimum
Staffing Levels (MSL) for a significant portion of the year with the resultant
unprecedented high levels of sick leave and consequent adverse effect upon staff
morale. Staffing has been allowed to reach record low levels and MSL has impacted
significantly upon the regime with curtailment of e.g. association, gym and inevitably
increased hours when prisoners are behind their door (see sections 7, 10, 13, 14, 15
and 16).
3.2
Increase in use of cellular confinement - Some of the cells on residential units 5
and 6 are not suitable for extended periods of confinement (see Sections 12, 13 and
14).
3.3
A shortage of acceptable accommodation / facilities for disabled prisoners on
residential units 5 and 6, and those units are in need of refurbishment (see Section
7).
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
3.4
Inadequacy of residential facilities. At the year end, over 40 single cells at
Eastwood Park were being used for double occupancy. Lack of showers on Res 5&6
(see Section 14).
3.5
An increase in Deaths in Custody for the year, 3 in 2013/14 (0 in 2012/13).
Inquests are still awaited in these cases (see Section 12).
3.6
Increased reports of violence during the reporting year (see Section 12).
4.
Issues that remain of concern and are unaddressed from previous
reports
4.2
Loss of funding for Hibiscus (a voluntary organisation for Foreign Nationals).
4.3
Eastwood Park has no Disabled Assist Officer.
5.
Issues for the Secretary of State
5.1
Will the Minister ensure that HMP Eastwood Park is resourced so that sufficient staff
is employed and available for work to avoid extended periods of Minimum Staffing
Levels?
The Board is concerned by the number of extended periods of Minimum Staffing
Levels (MSL) at EWP during the year with the consequent negative impact upon
management of prison regime, staff morale and sickness levels, and the inevitable
further impact upon the rehabilitation of offenders and reduction of re-offending (see
Sections 7, 10, 13, 14, 15 and 16).
5.2
Is Naloxone going to be available for prisoners leaving Eastwood Park?
This is a small dose medication for drug users that can be administered by the
person or someone close to them that mediates the worst effects of an overdose and
gives time for an ambulance to arrive. This is a national issue, although it is noted
that HMP Cardiff issues Naloxone to prisoners on departure.
6.
Operational issues for NOMS
6.1
National and local succession plans and recruitment practices should be
adequate to ensure that prisons are fully staffed and that vacancies are advertised
and filled in a timely fashion thereby avoiding MSL in future in all but exceptional
circumstances. In 2013 staff were encouraged nationally to take voluntary early
departure and Eastwood Park had a high level of take up, which coupled with the
new centralised recruitment restrictions has seriously exacerbated staffing shortages
within Eastwood Park (see Sections 11 and 13).
6.2
Minimum Staffing Levels should be an exceptional circumstance not the
default position. MSL has resulted in a reduced regime for the women at Eastwood
Park. At the time of writing Eastwood Park is 15 officers short, and there are 19
vacancies. At the end of October 2014 some prisoners were in their cells for 18
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
hours a day. The Board is concerned that a lack of uniformed staffing due to MSL
has at times impacted severely on the regime (e.g.: cancellation of hospital
appointments, prisoners being in their cells more frequently or for longer periods than
is desirable, and particularly curtailment of access to gym.) Frequent movement of
officers has led to a lack of continuity for prisoners. The Board has observed that
some residential units seem at times to be struggling because of extended periods of
MSL (see Sections 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16).
6.3
Eastwood Park has some notable funding challenges - residential units 5 and 6
are in need of refurbishment i.e. more showers are needed on unit 6. There is a
shortage of suitable accommodation for disabled prisoners on both units 5 and 6.
Certain cell accommodation is not suitable for keeping prisoners in cellular
confinement because of the lack of ventilation. At the time of writing, 40 single
occupancy cells were being used for double occupancy (see Section 14).
6.4
Observation panels on the cell doors in residential units 5 and 6 are not fit for
purpose. Fixed panels do not allow clear observation or communication with
prisoners behind their doors. This is an issue of safety, as well as privacy of
conversation with a prisoner (see Section 14).
6.5
The ratio of male to female officers at Eastwood Park could be improved. A
shortage of female staff to conduct searches on the women prisoners arriving at
Eastwood Park has on occasion been an issue in Reception this year meaning that
female staff have had to be "borrowed" from other areas (see Section 7).
6.6
Inadequate resourcing for the Transforming Rehabilitation (‘TR’): The Board has
concerns regarding the adequacy of resourcing given that the benchmark report
states Eastwood Park needs 16 Band 4 staff to achieve TR but there are currently
only 12 at Eastwood Park. With the planned re-opening of residential units 1 and 3
(78 more prisoner places), will NOMS ensure that there is enough capacity to cope in
the key areas of the prison, such as Kitchens, Healthcare, Education and car parking
spaces for visitors (see Section 11).
6.7
Improved scheduling of prisoner arrivals with GeoAmey: There is no cut off time
for prisoners arriving at Eastwood Park. New prisoners sometimes arrive very late at
night after Court; causing unnecessary difficulties in the induction and settling in of
new prisoners (see Section 16).
6.8
There is a need to offer more and different educational and rehabilitation
courses and places to reflect the increasing prisoner numbers and changing length
of the prisoner stay at Eastwood Park (see Sections 8 and 11).
6.9
There is a lack of counselling at Eastwood Park The HMIP inspection report
highlighted the lack of counselling in Eastwood Park. The new Personality Disorder
Unit will open in January 2015 and provide a range of services for prisoners. The
Board is concerned that the psychological needs of prisoners in the rest of the prison
are addressed.
6.10
In the light of the Deaths in Custody this year, the Board is concerned that they
are not informed of the dates when inquests are to take place (see Section 12).
7.
Equality and Inclusion
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
7.1
Equalities is well managed and taken seriously at Eastwood Park with Diversity
Equality Action Team (DEAT) meetings chaired by the Governor, with prisoner
representatives in attendance. Services were limited in the second half of the year
when the Equalities Officer was on detached duty.
7.2
The Governor is keen to ensure that religious minorities are covered by cultural
events.
7.3
There are approximately 30 Foreign Nationals (FNPs) at any one time, 15 of whom
do not speak English. Translation services are regularly used. There are occasional
issues when women are distressed due to an inability to communicate with others.
7.4
Ethnic monitoring indicates that about 16% of prisoners come from Black and
Minority Ethnic (BME) groups. Data indicate that no ethnic group is unfairly treated or
denied access to facilities. Close to half of all BME prisoners are FNPs. (The same
as in previous years). It had been identified however that no BME prisoner had
received release on temporary licence (ROTL). This was being looked into.
7.5
Basic and improvers E-SOL courses are available for foreign national prisoners
(FNPs). Eastern Europeans and Africans make up the majority of FNPs. There are
language barriers despite greater use of the telephone translation service, ALS, and
the translation of forms and information on procedures.
7.6
On average 7% of the prison population is aged over 50, the highest percentage for
over four years. RECOOP provide services for women over 50 with activities such as
arts and crafts and music.
7.7
At the time of writing, there is one prisoner in a motorised wheelchair and 3 in normal
wheelchairs. Information on disabilities is now being entered on the Wings. As noted
earlier in this report, there is a shortage of suitable cells for disabled prisoners on
residential units 5 and 6. Over the past year up to 8 prisoners had Personal
Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPS) in case of a fire.
7.8
This year two Disability Orderlies have been appointed to assist disabled prisoners.
7.9
Approximately a third of prisoners have some form of disability which range from
dyslexia to a physical disability.
7.10
The number of Disability Aids has been increased during the year. In April 2015 The
Social Care Bill comes into effect and the Local Authority will be responsible for all
social care in prisons and the community.
7.11
A number of quarterly newsletters are issued by various departments such as
Equalities and Chaplaincy. Information bulletins are also published from time to time
to coincide with religious festivals.
7.12
The Board monitors Discrimination Incident Reporting Forms (DIRFs) and is satisfied
that the incidents are investigated and responded to consistently.
7.13
8 members of staff around the Prison have been identified as Equalities Champions.
7.14
The Chaplaincy team continues to be very proactive and dynamic. It is involved in
running short courses and working with various groups of prisoners, such as; Young
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Offenders, socially isolated women, first timers in prison, vulnerable prisoners art
group, Moving On group and an Islamic study group. The Chaplaincy routinely
attends ACCT case reviews.
7.15
The Chaplaincy also oversee provision provided by outside groups such as Changing
Tunes, Christianity explored, Religious Festivals of faith, Buddhist meditation group.
Leaflets on various religions are freely available.
7.16
There continues to be no ethnic minority representation on the Independent
Monitoring Board despite local and national recruitment campaigns. The Board will
be recruiting in 2015.
7.17
Some basic Restorative Justice work is done by the Sycamore Tree. There have
been two courses of 8 weeks long, run by the prison fellowship. Prisoners meet a
victim of crime and have to complete a restorative act. There is funding put aside for
three more sessions in 2015.
7.18
The “Angel Tree” which is run via the prison fellowship is funded by the local
churches in the Gloucestershire area. They purchases, pack and send off Christmas
presents to the children of the prisoners.
Equality and Inclusion Concerns
7.19
There is a shortage of accommodation for prisoners with disabilities on residential
units 5 and 6 and in the prison in general.
7.20
Staff shortages have meant that staffing hours to focus on diversity matters have
been reduced. The Equalities officer was only available for 7 out of 12 months during
2014. We understand that this is being addressed in 2015. The Disability Assist
Officer role has been discontinued but the need is still there.
7.21
FNPs cannot watch foreign language television channels. This has been drawn
attention to in previous annual reports.
7.22
The ratio of female to male officers could be improved; there is a need for more
female officers. There is a lack of BME officers.
7.23
A recent audit has highlighted the need for a managing chaplain.
7.24
Funding for the Hibiscus voluntary organisation that dealt with FNPs was withdrawn
in 2013 and there has not been a satisfactory replacement for the service.
8.
Education, Learning and Skills
8.1
The Education Department continues to provide opportunities for prisoners to
improve their education whilst at Eastwood Park. Weston College has the contract to
provide education until 2016, and currently offers 10 courses with spaces for up to 80
students. There is presently no funding for extra places and Weston College
struggles to fill all the places on some of the courses.
8.2
The IMB have monitored some of the classes during the year and have witnessed
very good interaction between prisoners and tutors. The learning appears to be a
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
joint exercise rather than something that has been “done to” the prisoners. Prisoners
are referred to by their first names. Prisoners speak very well of their tutors and state
they find the courses useful. In those classes that the IMB have monitored there
seems a genuine enthusiasm and keenness to learn.
8.3
The Ofsted Report of November 2013 classed the education provision at Eastwood
Park as Good. Following the Ofsted recommendation, a Learning and Skills
Manager was appointed in December 2013. The Eastwood Park Education
Department is hoping to link with other prisons in the Women's Estate to provide core
courses and pool curriculum.
8.4
Prisoners are assessed for basic numeracy and literacy skills when they come into
Eastwood Park. There is a pre entry English and Entry level English tutor for those
who need extra help. The full time learning support tutor who started last year has
unfortunately left. There is no Special Educational Needs Coordinator. English and
Maths provision doubled during the year with the arrival of an extra teacher. A new
Mentor is employed full time as part of the " Maths 4 Prisons" scheme, which follows
on from the very successful Toe by Toe reading scheme this year and there have
been two celebration events during the year to hand out certificates to students.
8.5
In the reporting year Eastwood Park won 15 Koestler awards, 2 of which were
platinum awards.
8.6
There is one Customer Services course offered one evening per week and each
course runs for six weeks. It enables prisoners to achieve a Level 1 certificate in
Customer Services on completion, and the two week painting and decorating course
also resulting in a Level 1 certificate continues to be popular.
8.7
The Library is well stocked. There is an evening Book Club which is run by prison
service staff and supported by the library. It meets weekly, is very popular and has a
waiting list. This year 50 women have completed the Six Book Challenge and the
prison received a Bronze Award which recognises this achievement. The target for
next year is 150. This represents an impressive increase on last year’s target of 50.
8.8
As we understand it classroom attendance is about the same as last year, with over
90% attendance from March to October. The success and accreditation rate is 95%
and the retention rate is 99%.
8.9
Distance learning courses including the Open University are now being taken by 13
prisoners at Eastwood Park.
8.10
The Eastwood hairdressing salon has now closed due to the fact that historically
prisoners have not been in custody long enough at Eastwood Park to acquire the
necessary skills.
8.11
The soap making enterprise continues to develop new products and packaging and
now sells soap at local fairs and farmers markets. It recently supplied product for sale
to the House of Lords, and continues to look for new outlets.
8.12
Weston College publishes a “Prisoner Voice” magazine which comes out every
month.
8.13
There is a very good working relationship between Weston College and the prison.
Weston College is part of the Rehabilitation project and is to rebrand itself as an
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Adult Education College. It also works with other organizations such as N-ergy and
the National Career service through the Restore Trust.
Education, Learning and Skills Concerns
8.14
For an average population of 335, the number of places appears to be insufficient at
up to 80 places. However, during the year Weston College has struggled to fill some
courses. The Board is concerned that at Eastwood Park there are not sufficient and
relevant courses for future population needs.
8.15
Some prisoners complain that they have now been at Eastwood Park so long that
they have done all the courses.
9.
Healthcare and Mental Health
9.1
There are four main healthcare providers in Eastwood Park: Bristol Community
Health (BCH), which provides medicine management and nursing cover and clinical
substance misuse. Avon and Wiltshire Trust (AWP) are responsible for mental health
and substance misuse interventions and administrative support. Hanham Health
provides the GP cover for Eastwood Park. Lloyds Pharmacy provides the medication.
Health and Justice Commissioning commissions separately the service of dentist,
optician, midwives and sonographer etc. The Healthcare contracts have been
extended until April 2016.
9.2
Pathways, the Primary Care Centre which is similar to a GP practice in the
community, are open Monday to Friday and operates up to 8 clinics simultaneously
seeing between 60 and 70 prisoners a day.
9.3
Prisoners are seen within 24 hours of arrival at Eastwood Park by Healthcare. There
is 24 hour nursing care in Eastwood Park and 24 hour on call GP cover. Prisoners
are able to access female clinicians across all specialties.
9.4
Patient care is tailored to clinical need, including escorts and bed watches to outside
hospitals, although low staffing levels have lead to appointments at hospital being
cancelled in the last quarter of the reporting year.
9.5
Prisoners can make complaints regarding their healthcare either through the prison
complaints system or directly to the NHS. We understand a new complaints system
will be implemented in January 2015 which will be separate from the Prison Service.
9.6
Optician provision has improved during the year with a new contract and has reduced
the very long waiting lists experienced earlier in the reporting year.
Mental Health
9.7
There were 699 referrals to Mental Health in the reporting year, about 58 a month.
There are on average two Mental Health transfers to hospital a month.
9.8
At present there is one Clinical Psychologist and one Psychology Assistant.
9.9
Stepping Stones continues to deliver activities for vulnerable prisoners. New courses
being started include a Health Anxiety Group and a Wellbeing Group. Changes have
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
been made to the Sleep Clinic, resulting in reduced waiting times. Creative Art will
include grounding techniques. The Creative Writing Group has been revamped. Also
on offer is a focus group and action plan for one full cycle of Dialectical Behavior
Therapy (‘DBT’).
9.10
An advocate from MIND the mental health charity no longer visits prisoners due to
funding cuts.
9.11
The Personality Disorder (PD) unit is to be opened in 2015.
9.12
The Complex Needs Unit, residential unit 4, has been de-institutionalised during the
year and there are plans to improve the mental health provision from January 2015
Healthcare Concerns
9.13
There has been an increase in Applications concerning general health matters to the
IMB this year.
9.14
During the year there have been long waiting lists to see the dentist and optician;
however we have noticed a reduction in waiting times towards the latter part of the
year.
9.15
An independent review of health care highlighted, amongst other matters, the need
for an additional night nurse. A working group was set up to implement the
recommendations of the report and at the time of writing recruitment for the night
nurse post had commenced.
Substance Misuse Psychosocial Team
9.16
The Board are of the opinion that Eastwood Park has a very good psycho-social
team.
9.17
Approximately 65% of prisoners entering Eastwood Park received help for substance
misuse in 2014; this was the same as in 2013. (The data tool used is the National
Drug Treatment Monitoring System - NDTMS).
9.18
Residential unit 8 opened in March 2010. It is an 84 bed unit accommodating all new
receptions with a substance misuse problem and approximately 65% of prisoners
received into Eastwood Park go there. The Substance Misuse Service is an
integrated model of delivery supporting women with both clinical and psychosocial
interventions. It is delivered by AWP and BCH, which includes joint four week and
twelve week reviews for extended prescribing of opiate substitute treatment.
9.19
The SMPT support all women with substance misuse needs at point of reception
including harm minimisation, maintenance and detoxification though to release. It is a
recovery and abstinence based treatment model.
It uses the International
Treatments Effectiveness Project (ITEP) which puts the client at the centre of care
using both group (Inside Recovery Programme)
and individually tailored
interventions (co-facilitated with BCH healthcare) to understand the client substance
misuse, offending behaviour and map their recovery. This system is better able to
address the changing profile of drug use presenting in the prison, including class A
drug use, Benzodiazepine misuse, alcohol and Novel Psycho-active Substances
(legal highs).
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
9.20
Prisoners are encouraged to complete a Client Evaluation of Self on intake (CESI)
questionnaire which provides instant information on their general motivation,
treatment readiness, psychological and social functioning. This is followed up by a
similar questionnaire called Client Evaluation of Self During Treatment. The latter
includes additional indicators of therapeutic engagement, and expectancy of recovery
etc. There is also an option for the Criminal Thinking Scale (CTS) which focuses on
certain criminal thinking constructs.
9.21
In April 2013 A Drug Recovery Community (DRC) was opened on residential unit 2. It
is an abstinence based programme underpinned by the 12 Step philosophy. The unit
was developed to provide a safe place for prisoners to embark on their recovery.
The programme consists of one week of pre-admission (an introduction to the DRC).
Core Programme and Aftercare Programme. The Core Programme includes lectures,
workshops, group time, assignments, yoga, gym, relaxation and Give It A Go
sessions. Prisoners sign a compact agreeing to voluntary drug testing programme,
which includes twice monthly random testing and the ability to oral swab test upon
suspicion.
9.22
The aim of the unit is the safe re-integration of the prisoners back into the community
through mutual aid, peer support and links with community mentoring. The DRC unit
is ‘Category C’ allowing the prisoners to be unlocked for longer. The prisoners are
able to do some self-catering which is an essential part of the ethos of community
living and support.
9.23
On average there are 12 prisoners doing the voluntary DRC Core Programme at any
one time and there is a fortnightly Pre-Admission. Transfers are now put on hold until
prisoners have completed the programme.
9.24
During the year a 40 minute Drug treatment film was made with prisoners from the
DRC unit.
9.25
A Therapeutic Garden (funded by the King’s Fund) attached to the DRC was opened
in January 2013. This was a joint project between the prison and BCH.
9.26
Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics anonymous and other groups come into the prison.
A concern in last year's IMB Annual Report was that prisoners were being transferred
before completing their courses.
Substance Misuse Concerns
9.27
As reported in previous years, women are not being supplied with Naloxone (which
counters the effects of opiates especially in overdose) upon their release. Naloxone
is a small dose medication that can be administered by the drug user or someone
close to them, allowing time for an ambulance to be called. We understand that this
is being looked into by BCH and Hanham Health.
10.
Purposeful Activity
10.1
Eastwood Park has a range of work opportunities within the prison including in the
kitchen, food serveries, cleaning, gardens, laundry, waste management and
recycling. There is also a range of orderly roles covering reception, chapel,
14
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
education, library and gym where the prisoners help the staff and other prisoners. In
addition prisoners help with housing advice, diversity, safer custody listeners and
insiders (prisoners who help those new to the custodial environment adjust). Two
women are employed as prison drivers.
10.2
As at June 2014, 7 prisoners left the prison daily to work locally and earn the
minimum wage. On average in 2014, 5 prisoners left the prison daily to go to work.
Two employers have offered paid employment upon release. Five women have been
working locally on day release and have subsequently secured employment on
discharge from prison.
10.3
As part of the transition to a Resettlement prison Eastwood Park is currently
considering expanding working opportunities so that most prisoners will be able to
undertake purposeful activity. As the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said:
‘Rehabilitation in the community must begin behind the prison walls and follow
offenders out through the gates if we are to stand a chance of freeing them from a life
of crime.’ With the introduction of the new Community Rehabilitation Companies it will
be important to ensure that they make strong links with those people and
organisations that can help in the prisoner’s home community.
10.4
There are currently three Physical Education Instructors (PEIs) to staff the gym.
However at the year end, owing to the injury of one PEI, staff shortages and
detached duty only one member of Gym staff was available to teach. This had a
negative impact upon the gym regime and availability of gym facilities for prisoners.
This was expected to continue through to February 2015.
11.
Resettlement
11.1
Consistent with the Women’s Estate nationally, Eastwood Park is moving towards
being a Resettlement Prison.
11.2
The prison has been preparing for the implementation of Transforming Rehabilitation
(TR) in 2015. The benchmarking report arrived very late; this stated that Eastwood
Park needs sixteen Band 4 staff to achieve TR, whereas the prison has only twelve.
The planned new CRC (Community Rehabilitation Companies) services will be
provided by Working Links.
11.3
A Reducing Reoffending Analysis has been undertaken and the report is due in early
2015. A Reducing Reoffending Action Plan is in place but progress is hampered by a
lack of resources and deadlines for completion of initiatives have had to be extended.
11.4
Prisoner information about arrangements for advice and guidance on housing,
employment, finance/benefit/debt, family ties etc is provided mainly by voluntary
organisations. Prisoners have direct access to voluntary organisations at the
resettlement fairs held in Eastwood Park. The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT)
has expanded its team of family engagement workers. An additional housing orderly
has been appointed to work specifically with homeless women. Approximately 35% of
prisoners identify a housing need at reception.
11.5
Use of video link for court appearances has increased fivefold. Funding has been
secured to replace the inadequate portakabin housing for video link.
15
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Resettlement Concerns
11.6
12.
The Board has concerns regarding the adequacy of resourcing for an effective TR
and with the new CRCs ability to provide the appropriate process. CRCs have been
charged with innovating, providing services for the under twelve month group and to
reduce reoffending more effectively.
Safer Custody
12.1
The total number of self-harm incidents from January to December 2014 was
significantly down on the previous year, from 952 to 760. However there has been a
slight increase in the number of women self-harming. There has been an increase in
the opening of ACCT documents during the year from 438 in 2013 to 461 in 2014.
This may be due to the increase in the average population this year or to the
restricted regime with prisoners being locked up in their cells due to staff shortages.
The increased number of acts and shortage of staff has meant a lot more work for
staff to monitor these prisoners.
12.2
The amount of ligaturing has dropped from 415 in 2013 to 189 in 2014 but the
amount of cutting has increased in 2014. The biggest significant drop in self-harm
incidents is amongst Young offenders, from 281 incidents 2013 to 98 in 2014.
12.3
There has been a drop in Anti-social behavior and assaults between prisoners in the
year and a big drop in incidents involving Young Offenders. However, there has been
a tripling of anti-social behavior incidents against staff from 8 in 2013, to 24 in 2014
12.4
There have been three Deaths in Custody during the current reporting year. The
three inquests are yet to be held at the time of writing. There were no deaths in
custody in the 2013 reporting year. The Board has not generally been informed of
dates of inquests into deaths in custody.
12.5
Eastwood Park operates a zero tolerance policy to violence. There has been
increased peer to peer support made available, such as Safer Prisons Orderlies and
Violence Reduction Reps. Numbers of prisoners held on Cellular Confinement (CC)
has increased since it was introduced as an adjudication award.
Safer Custody Concerns
12.6
The increase in reported violence against staff is of particular concern to the Board.
12.7
The increase in Deaths in Custody from zero in the 2013 reporting year to three in
2014 is of concern to the Board.
12.8
There have been problems getting prisoners Mandatory Drug Tested (MDT) in the
prison due to a lack of staff and to a lack of trained MDT staff.
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IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
13.
Segregation, Care and Separation, Close Supervision
13.1
Eastwood Park does not have a segregation unit; prisoners are held in their cells on
the wings. In the case of very disruptive prisoners this has meant moving wings so
as to give respite to other prisoners on the wing.
13.2
Prisoners who behave in an anti-social way are not considered eligible for release on
temporary license (ROTL).
13.3
Prisoner Wing Representatives identified that there are specific issues (anxiety and
tension) around medication queues, with stronger characters pushing in and
influencing others to trade their meds. Additional staff has been introduced to
alleviate this and medication timings have reduced accordingly.
13.4
180 Intelligence Reports were submitted in both September and in October 2014 of
which 66 were drug related (September). Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) at
Eastwood Park was very difficult due to staff shortages at the year end. MDT results
for the year to October were 9.5% positive.
13.5
The Complex Needs Unit (Res 4), funded by the NHS, accommodates prisoners with
acute mental or emotional needs who require a high level of staff support. Many
residents on this unit are likely to require substantial mental health input. The unit
has had some exceptionally demanding prisoners during the past year and the Board
commends the staff for the excellent work they continue do to keep the prisoners
safe. Officers have received training in working with prisoners with Personality
Disorders.
13.6
As noted earlier MSL has impacted upon the regime of the prison and has led to five
applications being received by the IMB directly related to lower staffing levels.
13.7
A restricted regime was introduced in June 2014 and has been in place ever since,
with further restrictions being necessarily imposed on a regular basis. The following
table, taken from prison statistics, shows regime curtailments (over and above the
agreed restricted regime) for October 2014:-
Week beginning
13.8
Regime curtailments
Hours lost
Number of prisoners
affected
29 September
18
152
1054
6 October
10
61.5
1925
13 October
21
141.25
1724
20 October
68
349
2429
In the latter half of the reporting year prisoners have often been locked up for over 18
hours a day. As part of the restricted regime, evening association has been reduced
17
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
to twice a week (Tuesday and Friday) and on some weeks even this has not been
provided. This is a serious issue as it is the key time when women have the chance
to phone their children.
Segregation, Care and Separation, Close Supervision Concerns
13.9
In the absence of a segregation unit, prisoners are held in their cells on the wings.
Cells used for cellular confinement are not always suitable. Some prisoners are held
in cells reliant on passive ventilation for air, and with fixed observation panels.
Although these cells conform to current NOMS standards, in the Boards view during
periods of warm weather, the ventilation is not adequate.
13.10 Eastwood Park has been operating on MSL for extended periods this year, as
staffing has reached record low levels.
13.11 Recruitment restrictions have been in place which has added to the challenges of
ensuring adequate staffing. As at the end of October 2014 there were 19 officer
vacancies out of 97 funded posts. The prison has frequently had to use agency
OSGs due to lack of staff. Investment in training is very low, for example national
training, which is outside the control of Eastwood Park has been cancelled on
occasions.
14.
Residential Services
14.1
Women on residential units 2, 7 and 10 (Category C areas) now have the opportunity
to self cater some of their meals, having purchased their own supplies. Prisoners on
these units can also use the eggs laid by the chickens at Eastwood Park.
14.2
Residential unit 10 is scheduled to become a specialist Personality Disorder unit in
2015. Since its closure as a juvenile unit in 2013, is has been operating successfully
as a non-smoking Category C unit.
14.3
Residential units 1 and 3 are presently undergoing refurbishment as part of the
programme of scheduled increase in prisoner numbers at Eastwood Park.
Refurbishment will finish in 2015, and will provide an additional 78 beds.
14.4
Eastwood Park currently has the highest level of over 50’s for four years. The Rubies
group (Women over 50) made a quilt in 2014 which was given a Koestler award: the
quilt will be hung in the Visits Room.
14.5
The Catering Manager faces a great challenge to feed the women with a food budget
of £2.02 per prisoner.
14.6
The Kitchen scored highly on Hygiene standards when inspected in September.
14.7
The Board continues to receive mixed comments about food. Members of the Board
taste the food frequently and have found it generally to be tasty and of reasonable
quality, although at the time of writing the total absence of vegetables at lunchtime
has been noted on a number of occasions. Comments are passed on to the Catering
Manager and dealt with in a timely fashion.
14.8
The Food Comment books are monitored regularly by the Board. Many of the books
are kept behind the servery on the residential units and are not always available.
18
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
14.9
The number of written applications to the Board about catering this year was 15
compared to 20 in the previous year.
14.10 The Board is concerned that on a number of occasions the kitchen has had
insufficient prisoners and staff working to meet their requirements resulting in late
meals.
Residential Services Concerns
14.11 The Board is concerned about the adequacy of some of the residential facilities: at
the time of writing, 40 cells designed for single occupancy are occupied by two
prisoners. Many of the cells at Eastwood Park are out dated and smaller than
modern cells. The recently refurbished cells on residential unit 2 and those
undergoing refurbishment on residential units 1 and 3 are much smaller than in
modern prisons, the corridors are narrow and not conducive to easy association or
movement.
14.12 As a result of MSL officers are often moved around the prison to ensure cover but
this has the effect of a lack of continuity for prisoners and for the staff themselves.
14.13 Ventilation has been a concern particularly during hot summer months. Some cells
on residential units 5 and 6 rely on passive ventilation for airflow which is less than
satisfactory, particularly when used for cellular confinement.
14.14 At times during the year degraded fixed observation panels on units 5 and 6 have not
allowed clear observation or communication with prisoners behind their doors. Due to
the door design panels can be replaced but not changed to opening hatches.
14.15 The number of showers available on residential units 5 and 6, for example on
residential there are 6 showers for up to 109 prisoners - are considered inadequate
for the number of women needing to use them. This is an issue of decency.
14.16 The shortage of staff has impacted directly upon the amount of time prisoners are
allowed out of their cells for showers, association, gym, and telephone calls to their
families. It is unreasonable not to provide adequate time for these activities which, in
the case of access to showers, results in a loss of decency for the women. In addition
IMB members have had to speak to prisoners through a door on Res 5 and 6 due to
low staffing. This is not appropriate for effective communication or for
decency/privacy.
15.
Visits
15.1
There have historically been issues where families have experienced difficulty in
booking visits by telephone. A new online booking system was introduced in July
2014 to address this.
15.2
Intelligence continues to be received about potential drug smuggling during visits. on
a number of occasions visitors have been required to have closed visits due to drug
dog indications. Information from pin phones suggests that prisoners are checking if
the dog is on duty and arranging visits accordingly.
19
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
15.3
The Board is encouraged to see that the Visitors Book comments show that Visitors
appreciate the helpful and cheerful attitude of the staff at Eastwood Park.
Visits Concerns
15.4
The drug dogs, a major deterrent for those wishing to smuggle drugs into prison
during a visit, are not always available.
15.5
Eastwood Park is not an easy place to get to by public transport. On Sundays there
is very little public transport.
15.6
Due to MSL, visitors who have booked a double visit have, on occasions, had to
leave the visits room and re-enter for the second session. This is disruptive for the
women and their visitors.
15.7
The Board has noted a Visitors Book comment concerning visits being cut short and
starting late owing to a shortage of staff.
16.
Reception
16.1
Reception is an extremely busy area, but appears generally well organised with
dedicated staff that has made great efforts to make reception a more welcoming
place. Staff is to be commended for their sensitive handling of distressed new
arrivals. Prisoners are offered food and drink on arrival and receive a basic induction
about the prison.
16.2
The Body Orifice Scanning chair is used for all new receptions. There are now five
reception orderlies and five Insiders who work in Reception and make a valuable
contribution. The CCTV cameras have been replaced. BCH and Hanham Health
GPs see women at point of reception, assess needs and provide clinical
interventions. There have been occasions when there have been an inadequate
number of female officers on duty resulting in delayed personal searches etc.
Reception Concerns
16.3
Late arrival of prisoners. GeoAmey occasionally deliver prisoners very late in the
evenings. On one occasion in October 2014 staff was on duty processing prisoners
until 22.50 hours.
16.4
The Board received 25 applications about property from prisoners during the year.
Many of these relate to queries over property logged at Reception. Whilst there are
good systems in place it appears that it is not always possible to log the prisoners’
property if they arrive very late at night, or if Reception is operating on MSL. In these
instances property is usually logged the next day and the prisoner asked to confirm it
is in order. This can lead to confusion amongst the prisoners, and claims of missing
items.
20
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Appendix 1
Independent Monitoring Board
10/11
11/12
12/13
13/14
Recommended Complement of Board Members
13
13
13
13
Number of Board members at the start of the reporting
period
12
10
12
12
Number of Board members at the end of the reporting
period
10
11
11
11
Number of new members joining within the reporting
period
0
1
3
3
Number of members leaving within reporting period
2
0
1
4*
Total number of Board meetings during reporting period
12
12
12
12
Total number of visits to the prison (including all
meetings)
546
603
591
504
Total number of segregation reviews held
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total number of segregation reviews attended
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
BOARD STATISTICS
Date of Annual Team Performance Review
14/01/11 27/02/12 11/03/13 03/03/14
* Three members left due to the introduction of the new 15 year Maximum Tenure rule.
21
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Appendix 2
Applications to the Board (1st Nov 2013 to 31st Oct 2014)
Code
Subject
A
Accommodation
19
6
9
16
8
B
Adjudications
6
2
2
0
1
C
Equality & Diversity
5
3
7
2
5
D
Education/employment
including IEP
9
7
8
11
17
E1
Family/visits inc. mail & phone
34
8
17
23
13
E2
Finance pay
1
6
F
Food/Kitchen related
12
19
14
20
15
G
Health related
32
17
26
20
33
H1
Property
(within
current
establishment
Property (during transfer/in
another establishment)
Canteen,
other
shopping
facilities
Sentence
related
(inc.
HDC/ROTL etc
23
21
31
18
16
13
19
6
14
32
J
Staff/prisoner
including bullying
18
18
33
24
17
K
Transfers
84
5
4
4
3
L
Miscellaneous
35
32
57
48
36
210
147
214
201
219
17
12
4
H2
H3
I
Total
number
Applications.
M
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14
concerns
of
IMB
Of total: number of IMB
Confidential Access was:
9
8
22
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Appendix 3
List of Community Sector Groups who provide services at
Eastwood Park.
NAME
SERVICE
WHEN DO THEY
COME IN?
HOW ARE THEY
ACCESSED /
REFERRED?
Alcoholics Anonymous
Support for people with
issues around alcohol use
Visit the prison every
Saturday alternating
between Kinnon Unit and
residential unit 2
Rotas are displayed on the
wings and advertised
through the SMU Team.
Women interested in
attending just need to let an
Officer know and they can
join the group on the day.
Anawim
A women’s community
project in Birmingham,
supporting all women
involved in the Criminal
Justice System, and also
has
specialist support for sex
workers
Anawim representatives
visit the prison once a
month/in response to
referrals. Project worker
will visit women on the
wing
Staff can make referrals,
and women can make self
referrals using the
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub.
Asha Women’s Centre
The Asha Centre is a
Visit the prison in response Staff can make referrals,
women’s community project to referrals, attends the
and women can make self
based in Worcester
‘Support For You’ Fairs referrals using the
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
Bristol Mind
Advocacy - supporting
women with issues they feel
they can not address
themselves
Changing Tunes
Music Education and
concerts
Advocacy Worker visited
the prison on Monday,
Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Attends ‘Support For You’
Fairs. This service ended in
July 2014.
3 sessions per week –
Applications via the
Wednesday AM and PM, Chapel. (There is usually a
Friday AM
waiting list)
Visit the prison fortnightly,
Connect project (Gibran A mentoring support
appointments with women
UK) – Going Home Project service for women
returning to Wales who are in the Activities Hub
not dependent on drugs or Attend ‘Support For You’
alcohol. They offer help and Fairs
guidance to meet prisoner’s
needs and give
opportunities to become
peer mentors and help
other women.
Staff can make referrals,
and women can make self
referrals using the
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
23
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Via referral forms – there
has not been a large uptake
of this service. Many
prisoners are not eligible.
Notices on the wings.
Cooperative Bank
accounts
Eden House
Provides day and outreach Visit women in group
Prison/Probation staff
service who have been
sessions and/or via legal referral required. Women
involved in the criminal
visits. Attends ‘Support For can be identified for the
justice system and returning You’ Fairs
project via the ‘Preparation
to Bristol
for Release’ referral form.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
Footprints Project
Provides mentoring for exoffenders returning to
Bournemouth, Poole,
Dorset and South Somerset
Gloucester
Citizens Advice Bureau
One to one debt advice,
Debt advisor based in the
including court fines, credit prison every Monday.
cards, loans, utility bills,
mobile phone bills.
Staff can make referrals,
and women can make self
referrals using the
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Gwalia
Accommodation assistance Visits the prison once a
for homeless women
week, and will see women
retuning to Wales
on the wings. Attend
‘Support For You’ Fairs
Women are identified by
the Accommodation Liaison
Officer, however women
can self refer via the
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form
Hafal
Provides support and
resettlement service for
women returning to Wales
with significant mental
health problems such as
schizophrenia, bipolar and
psychosis
Info Buzz
Therapeutic and creative Residential unit 4
weekend activity on
residential unit 4. Also pilot
the forgiveness “Restore”
programme in 2014
Via referral.
ISIS
Support, guide and
empower women in
Gloucestershire
Staff can make referrals,
and women can make self
referrals using the
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
Volunteer project workers Staff can make referrals,
visit the prison fortnightly and women can make self
seeing new receptions on referrals using the
the wings. Attends ‘Support ‘Preparation for Release’
For You’ Fairs
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
Visit the prison bi monthly Staff can make referrals,
visiting women on the
and women can make self
wings. Attend ‘ Support For referrals using the
You’ Fairs
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
Visits the prison
Fortnightly seeing new
receptions from Gloucester
on the wings. Attend ‘‘
Support For You’ Fairs
24
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Jobcentre Plus
Money Advice Service
Assist with benefits and
Based on residential units 5 All women are contacted
employment interviews on and 6 available Monday - prior to release to advise
release. Assist with the
Friday
on benefits and offer
closure of benefit claims
signing up to the ‘Work
and claiming arrears.
Programme’. Staff can then
make referrals, and women
can make self referrals
using the ‘Preparation for
Release’ referral form
which are available on the
wings.
Offering staff and prisoners They come in twice a
Via “preparing for the
money advice
month. Meet on the wings future” referral form.
or in the interventions pod
Mothers union
Narcotics Anonymous
Support for those whom
narcotics have become a
problem
Currently running one
session per month – will
increase to two once
enough volunteers have
received security clearance
Rotas are displayed on the
wings and advertised
through the SMU Team.
Women interested in
attending just need to let an
Officer know and they can
join the group on the day.
New Futures
Provide education, training Visit twice a week and visit Via intervention Pod.
and employment
the wings and the
opportunities for women
intervention pod
returning to South Wales
One25Ltd
Support for Bristol Sex
Workers, Also has Naomi
House for women and their
children
Visits the prison weekly,
Staff can make referrals,
visiting women on the
and women can make self
wings and seeing them via referrals using the
legal visits offering
‘Preparation for Release’
resettlement support, attend referral form which are
the Support For You’ Fairs available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub.
Prisoner Advice and Care Support for women and
their families while in
Trust (PACT)
custody, and improve visits
and visiting facilities
Full time Integrated Family Staff can make referrals,
Support Worker and part and women can make self
time Play Coordinator
referrals using the
based in the Activities Hub ‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
25
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
RECOOP
Supporting older women
Project Officer based in the All women aged 50+ are
prisoners – Aged 50+. A prison Monday, Wednesday automatically invited to
part time RECOOP project and Friday afternoons
attend the group sessions.
worker has been funded by
1:1 sessions on residential
the Lankelly Trust. The
unit 4 available on request
group known as ‘RUBIES’
from staff
have sessions on a
Wednesday morning and
Friday afternoon. There are
also 1:1 sessions for women
who do not want to partake
in group activity, or in work
and education.
Re-Unite Worcester
Re-Unite aims to reunite Visit the prison in response Via the interventions pod.
women with their children to referrals
after release from prison
into stable safe
accommodation with
support that enables them
to achieve a permanent
tenancy and take control of
their lives. Links with
Worcester, Gloucester,
Bristol and Wales projects.
Samaritans
Provide 24 hour
A portable Samaritans
confidential emotional
phone is available on all
support to those who have wings.
feelings of distress,
including those which may
lead to self harm or suicide.
Provides Listener training
Women can request a
Listener or the Samaritans
phone via a Wing Officer.
Spurgeon Sisters
Providing a mentoring
Project Worker visits the
service for young offenders prison fortnightly
aged 18-25 nationwide,
signposting and supporting
them from custody into the
community.
Via referrals and the
interventions pod.
SSAFA (Soldiers, Airmen
and Families Association)
& ROYAL BRITISH
LEGION
Financial support to
Services staff and relatives
of Serving and Ex Serving
men and women, and their
families
Via referral and the
interventions pod.
Once a need has been
SUPPORT FOR WOMEN identified, a Sub-Group
Officer will undertake an
WHO HAVE BEEN
initial needs assessment.
ABUSED, RAPED OR
Ongoing referrals can be
HAVE EXPERIENCED
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & made to internal and
SUPPORT FOR WOMEN external
services/organisations
WHO HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN
PROSTITUTION
Visit the prison due to
referral.
Meet in the interventions
pod
The Sub-Group Officers
‘Preparing for the Future’
are based in different areas referral form, or you can
around the prison.
speak to your Wing Officer
Visit women on the wing in
a confidential space
26
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Transitional Support
scheme (TSS)
Working with ex offenders
serving under 12 month
sentence with
substance/alcohol misuse.
Visits the prison in
Staff can make referrals,
response to referrals,
and women can make self
appointments arranged by referrals using the
the Accommodation Liaison ‘Preparation for Release’
Officer
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
Watkins Solicitors
Family Law Advisors
Visit the prison every
Thursday, and attends
‘Support for You’ Fairs
Staff can make referrals,
and women can make self
referrals using the
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
Willow Tree Centre
1:1 Counselling for women
who have experienced loss
of a baby through
miscarriage, adoption,
fostering, death
Visits women referred to
the counselling during
Legal Visits. Attends the
‘Support for You’ Fairs
Staff can make referrals,
and women can make self
referrals using the
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
Women’s Turnaround
Project
Provide support for women Project Worker based in
returning to Wales who are the Activities Hub 20 hours
vulnerable and who have per week. Attends the
difficulties affecting their ‘Support For You’ Fairs
lives which may result in or
has resulted in them
breaking the law. It will
assess and identify need
and provide support to help
achieve personal goals
Women In Prison
Able to fund women at
Visit the women in response Staff can make referrals,
Eastwood Park a
to referrals, attend the
and women can make self
percentage of an education ‘Support for you’ Fairs
referrals using the
course that is not offered in
‘Preparation for Release’
the prison such as A levels.
referral form which are
Must be sentenced and have
available on the wings.
at least 9 more months to
Information available in the
serve.
Activities Hub
WRASAC – Open project An integrated support
service for women
returning to Plymouth,
Cornwall and Devon.
OPEN can offer
Employment Training and
Education, Open College
Network accredited
courses, Family Services,
Housing Homelessness
Finance and other rights
advice, access to health
services and supported
referrals.
Staff can make referrals,
and women can make self
referrals using the
‘Preparation for Release’
referral form which are
available on the wings.
Information available in the
Activities Hub
Meet women via the video Via Interventions Pod.
link.
They attend the
intervention fairs
27
IMB Eastwood Park Annual Report 2014
Appendix 4
Additional Organisations that regularly attend Eastwood Park ‘Support for You’
Fayres
The Amber Foundation
Providing supported housing with a course that aims to give women
new skills to come away from offending and help find employment.
For prisoners aged 17-30.
Betel of Britain
Not-for-profit Christian community dedicated to restoring homeless
and long-term unemployed people to healthy, independent lifestyles.
Bridge Programme – Salvation A substance misuse treatment programme based within the
Salvation Army homeless centre in Cardiff. The programme was set
Army
up in attempt to address the complex needs of homeless people and
substance misuse issues.
Children Matter Project
Working with Children and Young People across Wales affected by
domestic abuse. The Project offers a range of programmes that
address unhealthy relationships and the impact of domestic abuse.
Cyrenians Cymru
Providing support, opportunities and one-to-one confidential advice
to women who are at risk of sexual exploitation.
Gwalia
Providing support to offenders/ex-offenders in the community and
in supported housing projects in Eastwood Park.
HARP Resettlement
Opening Doors
Provides advice and assistance for accommodation after release,
support to families of offenders, employment advice and assistance,
certificated training courses, mentoring for offenders after release
and confidence building courses.
Volunteer Mentoring Scheme for anyone in the Criminal Justice
System in the Wiltshire area.
Re-Unite (South Wales) Solas- Supporting mothers with housing needs that will help them re-unite
with their children on release from prison.
Cymru
St Mungos-Broadway
Working alongside the Housing Team at Bristol City Council to
identify and work with prisoners being released NFA.
Stonham BASS
Providing accommodation and support for women eligible for
conditional bail from court and release on HDC.
The Wallich
Working with women to find and maintain housing, assisting in
resettlement from prison.
Women in Prison
Advice works on one-to-one basis and life skills workshops.
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