Report of the Independent Prison Monitoring Board (IPMB) for 2020

STATES OF JERSEY

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT PRISON MONITORING BOARD (IPMB) FOR 2020

Presented to the States on 26th March 2021 by the Minister for Home Affairs

STATES GREFFE

2021  R.46

Jersey Independent Prison Monitoring Board (IPMB)

Annual Report 2020

Contents

1. Executive Summary
2. 2020 Developments
3. Prisoner Applications to the IPMB
4. Monitoring Visits by the IPMB
5. Additional Activities
6. Safety and Security
7. Education, Employment and Purposeful Activity
8. Acknowledgements

1. Executive Summary

1. The  Independent  Prison  Monitoring  Board  (IPMB)  was established in April 2017  by the Prison (Independent Prison Monitoring  Board)  (Jersey)  Regulations  2017  [1]  with the  key objective  of  monitoring  the  welfare  of  prisoners.  Those Regulations require the IPMBto present an Annual Report to the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs, covering itsactivities and findings in each calendar year. Reference may be made to the three previous reports for detail about the IPMB's establishment and function at:

https://statesassembly.gov.ie/assemblyreports/2018/r.72-2018.pdf https://statesassembly.qov.je/assemblvreports/2019/r.40-2019.pdf https://statesassembly.qov.ie/assemblyreports/2020/r.82-2020.pdf

2. The year 2020 was characterised for us by:

• the Covid-19 pandemic which meant that we were not physically at La Moye as often as we would have liked and this adversely affected our ability to fulfil our role;

• the  resignation  of  the  Prison  Governor,  Nick Cameron, with whom we had established a good working relationship;

• a  stabilisation  of  the  IPMB  itself;  two  members resigned  but  three  new  recruits  joined  in  June, quickly making valuable contributions, and a deputy chair was formally appointed; and

• our  previous  difficulties  being  resolved  with  the part-time allocation of a temporary administrator for most of the year and a permanent one from September.

3. The IPMB commends the States of Jersey Prison Service for its management  of  the  pandemic  which  resulted  in minimal positive tests being recorded in staff by the endof 2020. Some of  this  success  should  be  attributed  to  Bill  Millar  and  Nick Cameron,  previous  Governors,  as  initiatives  conceived  and progressed before 2020 turned out to be of great benefit in dealing with Covid-19, and are set out in Section 2.3.
4. After  Nick  Cameron's  departure  Nick  Watkins, the   Deputy Governor, became Acting Governor, and his staff stoically kept

La Moye running so that no infection entered. This management included measures listed in Section 2.5.

Applications

5. As set out in Section 3, prisoners contacted the IPMB with their problems throughout the year. Following a lullin March, at the outset of the pandemic, we drew up a leaflet, translated into several languages,  which  was  distributed  to  all prisoners  to remind them that we were still in operation. By December we had received the record number of 39 applications. Itis not easy to deal with the various issues which arise as there isalways more than one side to a story and we need to inquire about prison rules and needs. However, we can shed light on things, and for the prisoner simply talking to someone independent can cheer  them  up  and help  them  see  things  from  other perspectives.
6. Due to the reduced daily regimes, which were necessary to limit the number of people in a given space for infection control, we had  several  complaints,  both  formal  and  in unplanned conversations with prisoners we met on monitoring visits, about not  having  enough  time out  of cell, enough  work,  or opportunities for doing art. This is regrettable but unavoidable due to the pandemic.
7. We had one application inlate December which was a cause for concern. This involved the Conditional Early Release of a young offender, something La Moye has been doing for over 20 years. However,  a  team  in the  Strategy,  Policy,  Population  and Performance Department (SPPP) had discovered that there was a discrepancy between the Prison Rules applying to such release and the laws relating -to young offenders, which meant that the release  was  deemed  illegal.  Due  to  miscommunication  the Prison Rules were not immediately amended, and the situation was  not  known  to  the   Deputy  Governor  before  the  young offender was released. As a result, the young man was recalled two days after his release, on the advice of the law officers, with the Rules only being amended as a matter of urgency, and with the full support of the Minister, afterwards. While the IPMB has no statutory oversight of sentencing issues, our remit clearly applied to the person's welfare for the few days until he was re- released after the amendment came into force. The incident emphasises the need for better communication between SPPP (or any other States department dealing with such matters), the Attorney General's Office, the Probation Service and La Moye.

Monitoring Visits

8. Our monitoring visits, along with applications, are a crucial part of our role. We cover them in Section 4. We were unable to carry out any visits due to Covid-19 from early March until early June. We then resumed until the end of October, so altogether we visited for seven out of 12 months, making 21 visits, compared to 25 in 2019, by going frequently during June to October. The new recruits joined us in June, with one of them accompanying two experienced members on each visit, so that by the end of October they all had the confidence to visit La Moye with anyone. It was unfortunate that we had to stop again, rather than building on this knowledge and experience.
9. As in previous years, we have generally found La Moye to be clean, well-organised and well maintained; there are few complaints about the environment in general.

Safety and Security

10. The strains on staff this year have been considerable, with several having to self-isolate at times and additional work caused by the pandemic. However, as set out in Section 6, there has been no untoward lapse in the safety of prisoners, with low numbers of positive drug tests and no more than average incidents of self-harm or assaults on others,
11. One development in mid-year was the suspicion that the drug "spice" was entering La Moye via incoming mail. Since then, the staff have taken measures to ensure that mail could not be used in that way.

Education and Employment

12. While La Moye maintained many activities for prisoners during 2020, as set out in Section 7, there were adverse effects of Covid-19, with some sessions, such as art classes, having their numbers halved due to the need for distancing. In 2019 the concept of classes supervised by volunteers was introduced and gave more opportunities for out-of-cell activities[2] . Due to the need to keep any non-essential person out of La Moye during the pandemic, such classes have been discontinued. It would be disappointing if they were not re-instated as soon as possible as they give prisoners experiences which can inspire them in

different ways. The IPMB would like to encourage La Moye to further explore such possibilities, to offer prisoners more opportunities for personal development with classes such as art, yoga and creative writing. It is important to maximise the use of facilities, such as the art room and the large, well-lit room used for yoga and the Market Place, as well as little-used spaces generally.

Special cases

13. We would like to acknowledge the staff at La Moye for their care and management of two prisoners whose circumstances and medical  conditions  required  a  great  deal  of attention,  cost, imagination, patience and time.

• First, a complex healthcare and disability case; the main remedy was for a health care assistant to attend regularly, which with great difficulty was achieved. The prisoner had applied in October 2019 to be transferred to a prison in England but it was not straightforward due to the various medical conditions; multiple reports were required; the process was slow and ground to a halt due to Covid-19. Eventually the prisoner was transferred in late 2020, but even the transport was a project in itself.

• Second, a prisoner with complex medical needs placing additional demands on staff at La Moye. While the circumstances are different from the first prisoner referred to above this prisoner is equally, if not more, difficult to manage.

Conclusion

14. We are satisfied that the housing, welfare, medical attention, education, work opportunities and diet are of a good standard, given all the circumstances.

2. 2020 Developments

1. The most important, single event in 2020 was the resignation of the Prison Governor, Nick Cameron, after less than two years at the helm. Deputy Governor Nick Watkins was formally appointed Acting Governor in August 2020, and our pre-existing constructive and open relationship with him has continued.

2. For La Moye, this year has been dominated by its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The previous focus on rehabilitation and reduction of re-offending was maintained, but in many ways has been overshadowed by keeping inmates safe from Covid-19. The restrictions imposed have caused a range of grumbles and discontent, but no more so than for those living outside prison. We have sought to address these where possible and cover this in Section 3.
3. The  following  activities  undertaken  before  2020  proved important in managing the Covid-19 crisis:

• The refurbishment of E Wing, completed in early 2018, was done with the aim of creating a half-way house  for  men  who  had  been  in  the  Care  and Control Unit (CCU), smoothing their way back to normal  life  on  a  wing.  However,  the  IX  system (information  system  for  prisoners)  had  to  be installed if it was to be used and this was done in January 2020. E Wing has not yet been used for its intended purpose. The first inmates were the 12 "Bail-for-Jail" men, community members including Constable  Len  Norman,  the  Minister  for  Home Affairs, who were subject to prison conditions for 24 hours and raised money for the Shelter Trust. In March men who were vulnerable due to underlying health conditions or over 65 years of age, all from J Wing, were invited to move into E Wing for their own protection. Dedicated staff working in full PPE ensured that contact with anyone else in the prison was minimal. Work was organised in the adjoining yard and outside exercise was made available in their own area. From March 2020 there were 12 men on E Wing, until one was released.

• The re-purposing of the ground floor of H Wing as HI. This is a self-contained flat for up to eight men, the aim being that they live together almost as if they were outside in the community, co-operating with meal choice, cooking and watching TV for some

weeks before release. HI was used like this for a short time but early in the pandemic it was deep- cleaned and reserved for use as a quarantine ward if any prisoners developed Covid-19, although it has not been needed.

• Virtual  visits  were  planned  from  2018,  so  that prisoners could have on-screen visits, for example if their family was not in Jersey. They came into use during 2019, with the installation of three computer terminals in the Visitors Centre and a contract with a  service  provider.  When  personal  visits  were stopped altogether in March 2020, the system was easily extended to nine fixed terminals plus three portable ones which are taken to men in E-Wing or others  who  are  physically  unable  to  go  to  the Visitors Centre. "Purple" visits, as they are known, are normally paid for, but were funded by the prison while physical visits were stopped.

• A  similar  system,  supported  by  the  StarLeaf platform, was set up so "virtual" court appearances were possible, saving time for prison staff if it was merely for an adjournment or plea. This was a huge asset  in  2020  when  physical  court  appearances could be kept to a minimum. This system is used by legal advisers, probation officers and doctors.

4. To inform its response to the pandemic, prison leadership has been  involved  in meetings  with  the  island authorities  and technical  experts,  and  adopted  an  approach  of  imposing restrictions earlier than elsewhere and lifting them later.
5. Specific Covid-19 measures included the following:

• manufacture/acquisition of face masks for use by prisoners;

• requirements for all staff to wear face masks, and

planning  for  the  distribution,  wearing  and laundering of masks by prisoners;

• additional cleaning on the wings;

• stopping personal visits to prisoners (late March - early  July,  and  again  at  the  end  of  the  year), organising  prisoners'  use  of  "purple  visits"  and allowing them to be made free of charge; when visitors were allowed again, removing some of the static  furniture  to  ensure  distancing,  which  also meant a reduction of visitors at any one time;

• organising  virtual  court  appearances,  legal consultations and medical attention;

• revised work schedule for prisoners, reducing the size of groups working in any given area to allow more  space  and  reduce  infection  risk.  This  has unfortunately resulted in less time out of cell; we cover this in Section 7;

• isolation for prisoners on arrival at the prison for a week - in effect a quarantine period;

• introduction of temperature scanning and symptom checking  for  staff  and  visitors  (e.g.  professional advisers and ourselves);

• introduction late in the year of voluntary Covid-19 testing for staff and prisoners; the uptake was about 85% and 50% respectively; and

• arranging transfers of prisoners to UK prisons, when the  UK  was  for  many  months  reluctant  to  even contemplate transfers due to Covid-19 and finding a means  of  travel,  including  sending  someone  to France on the Normandy Trader.

In addition to the above measures, prison management has been coping with the various quarantine, test, isolate, track and trace impacts upon its own staff.

6. In light of the above, community-focussed activities have been difficult during 2020. However, it was possible for prisoners to enter prize-winning produce into the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (RJA&HS) show, albeit held online. Once again, horticultural activities at La Moye included growing

c.  2,000  poinsettias  for  sale  on  the  island.  Prisoners  have continued constructing wooden tables, benches and other items (e.g.  ornamental  reindeer)  for  sale,  and  produced  over  130 items of artwork that were exhibited at the Harbour Gallery in St Aubin in early March.

3. Prisoner Applications to the IPMB

1. Responding to individual applications from prisoners is a core function of the IPMB. Information on our role and means of access are advertised:

• on wing noticeboards;

• on the IX System - for prisoners to access on screen in their cells; and

• at  Reception  (on  screen)  with  all  relevant information and in several languages.

In addition to the above, IPMB members explain to prisoners about the application process during discussions on Monitoring Visits.

2. Application Forms, asking the IPMB to investigate a complaint, are available to all prisoners; completed forms are placed into locked boxes on the relevant wing before being delivered to the IPMB. Members always prioritise meeting with prisoners before embarking on a Monitoring Visit, which means that sometimes Monitoring Visits are postponed due to timeconstraints.
3. The Application Form is intended to be used after prisoners have exhausted  the  standard  Prison  Complaints  Procedure  and includes a question to check that this has happened. However, this has sometimes not been the case but we normally deal with the matter anyway.
4. The standard procedure we adopt in dealing with applications usually involves:

• two members meeting with the prisoner - where possible during 2020 meetings were held in a room on  the  relevant  wing;  however  due  to  Covid-19 some have taken place as closed visits with a screen between prisoner and board members;

• all meetings are held without a prison officer being present, but the escorting officer is stationed close- by  for  security  purposes  and  members  wear personal alarms;

• discussing  the  application  with  the  prisoner  and advising what our likely course of action will be;

• producing  an  internal  report  on  the application/meeting,  including  a  record  of  any discussions with the Governor or Deputy Governor;

• writing a confidential letter to the prisoner, advising the IPMB's findings; and

• reporting briefly on the application at the next IPMB meeting.

On occasion, members deem it unnecessary to meet with the prisoner, however a report is still produced, and a response letter almost always sent to the prisoner.

5. We received a total of 39 applications in 2020, compared to 27 in 2019 and 31 in 2018.  The vast majority were from male prisoners which is not surprising as the female population in the prison is very small (typically 3-5% of the total population).
6. Applications  were  collected  and  uploaded  so they could  be addressed remotely by two IPMB members. In the last quarter of  2020  meetings  with  applicants  were  held  in  the  secure interview booths in the prison visitors' centre.
7. The  reasons  for  applications  can  be  broadly  categorised  as shown below:

8. Spread of Applications through 2020:

9. The island was under heavy restrictions due to Covid-19 from March to May, and also for some of December 2020. In March, when application numbers appeared to drop, we produced a specific awareness leaflet in a number of different languages to communicate to prisoners that they could/should still submit applications during the lockdown and this seems to have been effective based on the numbers received in May.
10. From a total of 39 applications, eight prisoners submitted more than  one;  the  total  number  of prisoners  actually making applications  to  the  IPMB was  21.  In 2019,  four  prisoners submitted more than one application.
11. One of the top two reasons for submitting applications involved disputes with the IEP process, the policy which governs whether a prisoner has basic, standard or enhanced status and so affects whether  or  not  the  person  has  certain  privileges.  Prisoners disagreed  with  decisions  made  in the adjudication  process following incidents involving misbehaviour. Having investigated each complaint individually we have no general concerns that this process is not being followed fairly. However, as a result of the increase in such complaints, we are due to attend further training on the adjudication process in 2021.

12. The other top reason for applications in 2020 was the prison facilities or the inability to access facilities. Looking at individual cases some are broadly and indirectly linked to the impact of Covid-19, for example having more timein cell and less work time (due to the necessity to reduce the number of people in workshops to ensure social distancing). Other complaints related to wanting access to resources, for example having guitar books sent in, and using paints in cell, which upon investigation were not possible due to prison regulations. Where it was possible to resolve complaints this happened in a timely manner, for example the replacement of a mattress and an issue regarding cell sharing.
13. Alleged unfair treatment from staff was also one of the main drivers for applications. Broadly, such complaints made allegations against named personnel and related to specific incidents. Each complaint was followed up individually and we were satisfied that appropriate processes were followed. Complaints of this nature are to be expected in what can be a confrontational working environment.
14. Some of the applications were Covid-19 related, for example disputes about payments for "purple visits", (the virtual visits system introduced in 2019). Applications regarding transfers[5] (four in total) were all essentially prisoners asking for an update on whether/when a transfer was going to take place, given the significant delays experienced in 2020. Inall cases an update could have been given via the Personal Officer so itis unclear why sometimes communication around this either had not taken place, or had not been understood by the prisoner.
15. Itis interesting to note that the number of complaints regarding healthcare (delays with treatment, access to mental health support) have stayed at the same level as in 2019 and remain relatively low (sixin total including mental health) which would indicate that on the whole healthcare needs are being met.

4. Monitoring Visits by the IPMB

1. The  IPMB undertakes  regular  Monitoring  Visits,  which  are made by at least two members of the IPMB with all areas of the prison being visited on a periodic basis.
2. This year the programme was impacted by Covid-19 with visits having to be suspended during March, April and May in order to mitigate the risk that we, as external visitors, presented to the  prisoners.  Once  visits  recommenced  in June,  we accelerated our programme to ensure all areas were visited during 2020 and this continued until Covid-19 again forced visits  to  be  suspended  during  November  and  December. During 2020 we undertook 21 visits to the following areas, some on more than one occasion:

• J Wing (vulnerable male prisoners)

• Workshops

• K & L Wings (male prisoners)

• Control Room

• H Wing (female prisoners)  

• Gym/Sports Hall

• Library

• E Wing & E wing Workshops

• Multi-faith room

• Reception Suite

• Art Room

• Horticultural Compound

• Visitor Centre

• Kitchens

• Care and Control Unit (CCU)

• Medical Centre

3. A November visit to the visitor centre was primarily to speak to  two  prisoners  in the  closed  setting  available;  the opportunity was taken to view the facilities there at the same time. A visit undertaken in February was a night visit to J, H, HI and  the  control  room,  with a  further  visit in February  to observe the Jail to Bail charity event.
4. During visits we are escorted by a prison officer. The prison is usually given notice of the time of a visit so an escort can be organised but the locations we wish to see are not disclosed

until  we  arrive.  The  itinerary  of  our  visits  can  be  readily adjusted to allow us to meet with prisoners who have applied to see us or to see anyone who has been moved to the CCU.

5. Visits give us the opportunity to see the premises, assess their condition and to interact with prisoners who we encounter. Talking informally to prisoners allows us to understand issues that have arisen in the prison and which may be of concern to the prisoners. The time spent with the escorting officers, the prisoners and seeing the prison facilities at first hand gives us a  real  insight  about  how  the  prison  is managed  and  the atmosphere in the prison. This has always been positive with good relationships between staff and inmates being observed. The areas visited are clean, well maintained and presented.
6. On arrival we enquire as to whether the CCUis in use and, if so, we offer to speak to the prisoner(s) there and discuss the issues with the staff. See Section 6.2 for more information about the CCU.
7. Monitoring Visits are carried out at various times of the day on different days of the week, as this allows us to see the prison in action and to make sure that we receive sufficient exposure to prisoners.
8. Post-visit we discuss with prison management the issues that we  have  noted  during  our  visit. Unless  further  research  is required in order to give a substantive response, our queries are answered promptly.
9. Once  a  Monitoring  Visit has  been  undertaken  the  IPMB members who have made the visit write up a short report recording the area that we have seen, prisoners spoken to and any issues arising as well as noting actions that need to be followed up.
10. Looking forward, we unfortunately anticipate that Covid-19 will continue to impact our programme of Monitoring Visits into 2021.

5. Additional Activities

1. In January we started a recruitment drive; sothat people interested in becoming a member of the IPMB could find out about the role, we held drop-in sessions at the Library, which we all helped to run, in shifts.
2. Normally the IPMB holds monthly meetings in the boardroom at  La  Moye.  When  the  prison  became  inaccessible,  we continued to hold meetings and other events via Teams and, when safe, we hosted meetings outside in members' gardens. During April and May we met remotely each week to ensure we  were  in touch  with fastmoving  developments  at  the prison.  We met  17  times  during  2020,  compared  to  the normal 11 or 12 and the minimum of eight prescribed by our enabling Regulations.
3. The three new members who joined the IPMBin June 2020 were first welcomed at a small reception hosted in the garden of  one  member.  We all had  the  opportunity  to  attend  a training session delivered by a senior prison officer at La Moye which was extremely informative and of particular value to the new members.
4. Another area needing guidance is the use of Egress, the secure communications and documentation system, and our Deputy Chair formulated two courses.
5. Several of us attended the opening of the annual Inside Out art exhibition  held  at  the  beginning  of  March  at  the  Harbour Gallery  in St  Aubin,  where  prisoners'  art  work,  including carpentry and pottery, is exhibited for two weeks and most is for sale. This is an important outlet which gives prisoners confidence in their creative skills and connects La Moye to the community.
6. Inlate March, the then Governor Nick Cameron, was anxious to obtain as much PPE as possible when there were concerns about nation-wide supply. Surgical masks were worn by staff, but it was thought advisable that prisoners should wear masks of which a minimum of 600 were needed before they could be issued to all. Board members therefore made198 masks and supplied another 63, assembled but unsewn, allwith three

layers. We also provided fabric and elastic which H Wing used to make masks.

7. Our  Regulations  expect  us  to  review  our  practices  and procedures annually. As the IPMB was only set up in 2017, we have done this informally since then. Early in 2020 our then Government link formalised this by:

• conducting a survey of all members, about their role on the IPMB;

• meeting  members  individually  to  discuss  their opinions; and

• leading a "brainstorming" session hosted in one of our members' homes.

8. Events that were planned and had to be cancelled due to Covid- 19 included:

• An April visit by the Guernsey IPMB to La Moye; this would have been a return visit, after some of us went to the Guernsey prison in 2018;

• Our  Chair's  visit  to  HMP  Winchester  which  was

planned for late March; and

• Training events at the prison.

6. Safety and Security

1. Incidents
   1. La Moye has a mixed population with an operational capacity of 200. During 2020 the population averaged 146 with a range of 141 to 151 prisoners, slightly more than in 2019. Numbers in each prisoner category (male, female, vulnerable and young offenders) have not changed significantly since 2019. During 2020 the Governor orActing- Governor  provided  the  IPMB with monthly  safe  custody  statistics which include incidents of self-harm, assaults on prisoners and/or officers, drug testing results and the use of the Care and Control Unit (CCU).
   2. In 2020, La Moye reported zero major incidents. During 2020 there were 15 assaults of which 13 were prisoner-on-prisoner andtwo were  prisoner-on-staff.  Of  these  assaults  one  was  classified  as

serious6. The level of serious incidents is extremely low when bench- marked against the UK prison system. There were 48 prisoners on Risk and Concern Assessments over the year compared to 51 in 2019.

3. In 2020 just 3% of drug tests returned a positive result compared to nearly 6% in 2019. During 2020 a new procedure for managing incoming mail was implemented to prevent illicit substances reaching the prisoners.
4. There  were  24 incidents  of  self-harm  of which  nine  were classified as serious7. A small minority of prisoners account for a high number of instances. There were no deaths, no attempted escapes, no riots and no significant infiltration of illicit substances. La Moye is a safe, secure and stable environment when compared to prisons in England and Wales.
5. In terms  of  prisoner  safety  and  security,  the  IPMB  I  s observations  were  that  La  Moye  was generally  calm  and  orderly. Prisoners  engaged  respectfully  with  officers,  fellow  prisoners  and IPMB members,  often  initiating  conversations  with us  during monitoring visits. Prisoners were mostly positive about La Moye when speaking  with  IPMB  members  during  monitoring  visits  and acknowledged the quality and range of facilities available.

2. Care and Control Unit

1. The purpose of the Care and Control Unit isto positively address the  adverse  behaviour  of  those  prisoners  who  continually  fail  to adhere  to  the  prison  rules  orby  their  actions  necessitate  being removed from the residential wings for a period of time. The CCU operates  a  restricted  and  carefully  managed  regime  to  address prisoners' adverse behaviours and prevent them from being a threat or risk to themselves or others.
2. Given their  potential  increased  vulnerability,  the  Governor advises  the  IPMB whenever  a  prisoner  is moved  to  CCU.  Where

6 Serious assault classification; an assault resulting in serious injury (stitches, broken bones or long- term negative effect), concussion, detention in hospital or sexual assault. Minor assault classification; an assault which does not result in serious injury (stitches, broken bones or long-term negative effect), concussion, detention in hospital or sexual assault. Minor assault may result in minor or no injury.

7 Serious self-harm classification; self-harm resulting in serious, possibly life- threatening injury (stitches, broken bones or long-term negative effect) or detention in hospital. Minor self-harm classification; self- harm which does not result in serious, life-threatening injuries (stitches, broken bones or long- term

negative effect) or detention in hospital.

appropriate, the IPMB may visit prisoners detained in CCU, talk to relevant staff, record conversations, and review documentation.

3. In 2020 CCU was used 36 times; 23 prisoners were there for a total period of 207 days.[6] Two prisoners accounted for 130 of the total number of days; this was due to medical and mental health issues. The average time spent inCCU was 5.7 days. The food refusal protocol was initiated once; no prisoners inCCU were on a 24/7 watch.
4. IPMB members visited CCU seven times during the year. In summary, we found that the prisoners were satisfied with the living conditions, generally they understood why they were there, and were comfortable with the treatment they were receiving from prison officers.

3. Infrastructure

1. The prison buildings and outside areas are excellently maintained.
2. Redevelopment continues as outlined in paragraph 6.3.1 of our 2019 report. During 2020 the phase 6 vehicle gate work commenced and is expected to be completed in 2022. Half of the inner car park was lost to the construction site, so parking at La Moye can be difficult.
3. The HI Self Care Unit has not been used for its intended purpose, which was to prepare eligible prisoners for release, since February 2020. From March 2020 this area has been kept sterile and available for use in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak, with plans for any infected prisoners to be temporarily accommodated here. This is an excellent facility and very well maintained.
4. From 14 March 2020, 12 older prisoners from J Wing, deemed to be at additional risk from Covid-19 due to their age, were moved, on a voluntary basis, to E wing; here the regime and staffing are designed to enable the inmates to be kept segregated from other prisoners to allow shielding from Covid-19.
5. La Moye has continued to enhance mobility measures with the addition of wheelchair liftsin J, K and L Wings, complementing the existing chairlifts in H wing, and for improved access to the reintegration unit, library and chapel.

4. Staffing and training

1. The current staff FTE complement at Le Moye is 151.9 and there are currently 147 people in post. While Covid-19 has undoubtedly put occasional and temporary strains on prison staffing levels, existing staff  have  been  able  to  cover  the  shortfalls  without  apparent detriment to the safe running of the prison.
2. During  2020  the  following  positions  were  filled:  vocational training instructor in the horticultural area, caterer, substance misuse therapist,  engineer,  healthcare  officer,  part-time  librarian  and  a Reducing Re-offending civil servant support. At the start of the Covid- 19 pandemic, three additional nurses were- employed on short-term contracts  in anticipation  of  an  outbreak  in the  prison  which fortunately did not happen.
3. The following positions were vacated; Governor, senior officer, a  reducing  reoffending  civil  support  officer,  part-time  librarian, caterer, healthcare officer and two operations officers.
   4. Prison staff benefited from a continuous training programme throughout  the  year.  Uniformed  officers  received  Control  and Restraint basic/refresher and advanced training. Civilian staff received personal protection training. Other in-service training included suicide awareness, violence reduction, first aid, equality and diversity, and adult  and  child  safeguarding.  Some  officers  received  Autism Awareness training this year to assist prisoners.

7. Education, Employment andPurposeful Activity

1. Reflecting its island location, La Moye is a small prison with a diverse population catering  for women as well as men, young offenders (18 to 21 years old) and people over 70, and all levels of security need. The key prisoner activities during 2020 were focused around Covid-19 mask production by the female prisoners enabling them to be purposeful; the making of reindeer in the workshops from recycled pallets to sell at Christmas; and prisoner learning on the growing of large vegetables resulting in J Wing being overall winners of 11 classes and breaking five records at the September RJA&HS show.
2. During 2020 prisoners accessed a range of different courses, some such as workshops and ceramics courses supporting their return to gainful  employment  upon  their  release.  Others  were  more informative  and  lifestyle-based  such  as  the  Ascentis  Healthy Lifestyles course, which was run by the PE department. Working

within  the  horticultural  unit  remains  popular  amongst  J  wing residents and positive reports were received on our visits.

3. Unfortunately, Covid-19 had a significant impact on the Education Department as many volunteers and external visitors were unable to  visit  to  deliver  courses.  A  Job  Club  was  established  to  run alongside the Market Place9 and strengthen the relationship with Government  Departments  who  could  support  prisoner reintegration.  The  CV writing  and  interview  technique  courses which were putin place along with the Market Place occurred twice over the course of the year but unfortunately had to be cancelled on another four occasions. A new curriculum and timetable were drafted early in the year to reduce prisoner movement time and allow a more concentrated focus on education and learning timewithin the core day; however, itisstill not implemented due to Covid-19 restrictions.
4. The  prison  has  adapted  admirably  to  the  difficult situations presented this year both by Covid-19 and recruitment restrictions which in many cases have limited staffing. There is soon to be a short-term vacancy in the art department which theIPMB continue to monitor as art is such an important therapy for many prisoners.

8. Acknowledgements

1. The IPMB appreciates the efforts of first Nick Cameron and later Nick Watkins to keep us informed of developments and problems generally, but in particular in relation to the management of Covid- 19 at La Moye, by phone, email and secure Egress discussions. Staff with whom we have had contact are always courteous, patient and informative. Our activities would not be possible without them; we have  a  lot  to  learn  as  there  is always  some  new  prison-style perspective to consider or an unusual situation which needs to be understood. We thank all of them for the assistance they have given us.
2. As Chair I wish to pay tribute to those who were members of the IPMB at any time during 2020 for their work,  enthusiasm and specially the deep concern which they all share for the inmates of La Moye. Those who were on the IPMB at the end of 2020 are, in order of original appearance:

• Vivien Vibert (myself), Chair

9 The Market Place is normally held every two months for agencies (such as Shelter Trust, Income Support and Citizens' Advice) to advise prisoners who are coming up to release on practical matters.

• Andrea John, Deputy Chair

• Jess Doyle

• Graham Root

• Mandy du Val

• Amanda Berry

• Peter Bisson

• Pippa Procter

The recruitment of the final three included a fourth person who, due to personal circumstances, was unable to take up any responsibilities.

3. Andrea John acted as Deputy Chair from October 2019 and was eventually appointed in October 2020. She is an ever-reliable source of structured thought and diplomatic dynamism, generously sharing at least half the responsibility of chairmanship with me. Thank you, Andrea.
4. Thanks also to Graham Root who set upthefirst remote IPMB meetings on Teams, hosted an open-air drinks party to welcome the new recruits in June and provided his garden for a meeting. Due to the wearing of another hat, he also helped to steer us through the Covid-19 jungle which simplified our thinking on that score.
5. Members have experienced a variety of pressures, complications and changes at work and home which have sometimes prevented them from participating as much as they would like, but there has always been a willingness to do as much as possible for which I commend them.
6. As in previous years most members have contributed to this Annual Report and all have approved its final version. From March 2020 our link to the Justice and Home Affairs Department was Charlotte Littleboy who, despite moving to another post, volunteered tobe the general editor of this report, for which I am grateful.

24 March 2021

Vivien Vibert

Chair of the Independent Prison Monitoring Board