Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Bullingdon, published on 1 December 2021, what lessons have been learned from the events during the week beginning 12 April that the Board describes as unsafe, including in relation to the impact of (a) extended covid restrictions on prison regimes, (b) staff inexperience and (c) staffing shortages.

The events described by the Independent Monitoring Board during the week beginning 12 April were especially challenging, due to a combination of factors at that time as a number of particularly complex prisoners needed support through Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) processes. Covid-19 impacted on regimes, and we recognise that this was both frustrating and distressing for prisoners. The Healthcare team also had staff shortfalls due to an agency staff issue which has now been resolved.

In April 2021 the prison had only just come out of a COVID outbreak, where the regime was significantly curtailed. It has improved since then, and HMP Bullingdon are now preparing plans to progress to Stage 1 of the National Framework which will increase time unlocked and purposeful activity for prisoners. The healthcare team have recruited additional staff to fill their vacancies, particularly in the mental health service. HMP Bullingdon will continue monitor staffing levels to ensure this doesn’t impact on the regime they can safely deliver.