In response to the recent report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, HMP Bedford has a new strategic plan focusing on measures to manage violence, including providing consistent keywork sessions; mandatory drug testing; staff training, including enhanced training in Challenge Support Intervention Plan processes and procedures; improving staff-prisoner relationships; improving debt-management processes; and providing a more purposeful and constructive regime, with more time out of cell.

The establishment has also introduced wing-safety surgeries (identified as positive practice by HM Chief Inspector), which provide a regular opportunity for prisoners to discuss concerns with the safety team. A new strategic lead has been put in place who will be supported by an experienced operational member of residential staff.

A hot-spot strategy (also identified as positive practice) is being utilised to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the issues and times when incidents occur, to help eliminate potential escalation points.

The national safety team has established a safety summit, involving focus groups and forums of staff and prisoners, so as better to understand the reasons violence occurs. The prison is also running regular wing-council meetings, with violence as a standing agenda item for discussion with the prisoners. In addition, an operational officer has been appointed as a floor-walker to support and coach staff in managing violent incidents.

HM Prison & Probation Service is committed to delivering sustained improvement in living conditions and performance across the prison estate, to promote a safe and secure environment that facilitates genuine rehabilitation. Since the publication of HM Inspectorate of Prison's latest report on the prison, HMP Bedford has prioritised the improvement of living conditions, by introducing a programme of cleaning, maintenance, pest control and decency checks.

The new Governor, appointed in February, is continuing to monitor performance at the prison to ensure sustained improvement.

The design brief for the new care and separation unit at HMP Bedford was to identify a suitable location for a facility which would address HMIP concerns while minimising the impacts on operational capacity, security and regime. The proposal agreed with the Prison was to covert part of B wing into the new unit in place of place the old one.

The care and separation unit is due to be completed in early March 2024, however additional works are required in B wing before the wing can be put back into use. While the programme for this is not yet finalised, the aim is for the new unit to open before the end of the year.

As records of prisoners who have left the prison on transfer or on release are no longer accessible to the prison, it is not possible, without incurring disproportionate cost, to say how many individual prisoners were segregated during the period.

The design brief for the new care and separation unit at HMP Bedford was to identify a suitable location for a facility which would address HMIP concerns while minimising the impacts on operational capacity, security and regime. The proposal agreed with the Prison was to covert part of B wing into the new unit in place of place the old one.

The care and separation unit is due to be completed in early March 2024, however additional works are required in B wing before the wing can be put back into use. While the programme for this is not yet finalised, the aim is for the new unit to open before the end of the year.

HMPPS is continuing to invest in the prison estate to ensure that prisons remain safe and secure. The following works at HMP Bedford are in delivery or have been approved for future delivery: replacement of the segregation unit, fire safety upgrades across the prison, installation of CCTV in all ‘hot spot’ areas, installation of anti-ligature cells, replacement of window frames where necessary, installation of electrical points in constant watch cells electric points, rerouting of cell call bells, and repairs to burst hot water main.

In addition to the projects listed above, the establishment is also in the process of seeking approval a number of further works including: replacement of diesel-powered generator, provision of safe access to plant areas, installation of CCTV into E wing, refurbishment of gym showers, renewal of A & C Wing flooring., refurbishment of main kitchen, heating system replacement, and window replacement.

We will shortly publish an action plan responding to the Urgent Notification issued by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on 17 November. This will set out what further measures we’re implementing, including maintenance activity, to drive wider improvements at HMP Bedford.

The Local Security Strategy (LSS) for HMP Bedford is in the process of being reviewed and updated. Officials have been aware of this from the outset. A partially updated version was available for viewing during the recent inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. The final updated version will be made available to staff in February 2024.

We will respond to any comments from HM Inspectorate about the LSS when we receive the inspection report.

The Local Security Strategy (LSS) for HMP Bedford is in the process of being reviewed and updated. Officials have been aware of this from the outset. A partially updated version was available for viewing during the recent inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. The final updated version will be made available to staff in February 2024.

We will respond to any comments from HM Inspectorate about the LSS when we receive the inspection report.

HMP Bedford intends to introduce a residential unit to support young adults aged 18-21 who exhibit complex needs. We are keeping the timescale under review and will provide an update in due course.

The Ministry of Justice welcomes the findings of HMIP’s report and takes the concerns raised seriously. The Inspectorate found positive practices during their visit, but we recognise that the establishment still has a long way to go.

We are committed to making all our prisons decent and safe for all those who live and work there. Further easing of the restrictions will enable us to work on embedding additional improvements. We will continue to ensure that action is taken to improve conditions for those in our prisons and their outcomes on release.

The information requested is provided in the table below.

These data have been collated from all Occupational Health Assessments, including

Prisoners are able to meet a DWP Work Coach in their prison in the weeks before release who can help them prepare their claim for Universal Credit. The Work Coach can make an appointment at the relevant Job Centre as early as the day of release and an advance of a full month’s benefit including the housing element, if appropriate can be made within hours.

The MoJ is working closely with DWP to improve the process for access to benefits for prison leavers.

I am currently considering the content and recommendations of the report from the IMB at HMP Bedford. I will respond to the report as soon as that process is completed, and I will ensure a copy of the response is shared with you.

We have published an action plan to stabilise HMP Bedford following an Urgent Notification by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. The action plan can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/justice-secretary-publishes-plans-to-stabilise-bedford-prison