HMIP Reports, HMP & YOI Doncaster

The prison was given an inspection in February/March 2022, the full report can be read at the Ministry of Justice web site, just follow the links below. In their latest report the inspectors said:

Doncaster prison is a category B Reception and Resettlement Prison in South Yorkshire. At the time of our inspection the prison held just over 1,100 men and young adults, a third of whom were on remand. A busy and complex prison, the establishment was receiving in excess of 250 new prisoners every month, held about 165 foreign nationals and provided separate accommodation for over 170 men convicted of sexual offences. Opening in 1994, the prison had been privately run since 2005 under a contract delivered by the company SERCO.

Doncaster prison is a challenging institution, and the Inspectorate has, in the past, been highly critical of the outcomes we have observed there. It is pleasing therefore to report that, overall, the findings of this inspection are very encouraging. Doncaster was now a much safer prison and remained ‘reasonably good’ in the area of respect. Outcomes in our healthy prison test for rehabilitation and release planning were judged ‘good’ and only in the provision of purposeful activity were outcomes identified as ‘not sufficiently good’, but even here the prison’s work to support the regime was better than we have seen in similar establishments.

Very good arrangements were in place to receive new prisoners and most told us they were treated well and properly inducted on arrival. Nearly every measure of safety that we assess, such as the amount of violence, the number of disciplinary proceedings, use of segregation and use of force were falling, and fewer prisoners now told us they felt unsafe. There had been eight self[1]inflicted deaths since our last inspection, although the recorded incidents of self[1]harm had remained constant. Despite this, the work undertaken to support those in crisis seemed to us to be useful and effective. We spoke to prisoners currently receiving support through crises, who told us they felt well cared for.

The prison remained overcrowded, but the environment was generally much improved. We observed an engaged and committed, albeit inexperienced, staff group who were both proactive and supportive in their dealings with prisoners. Engagement was, however, inhibited by a limited time unlocked as the prison emerged from the restrictions of COVID-19. This, in turn, was having a detrimental impact on the take-up of purposeful activity, such as education and work. Improving this situation was arguably the prison’s most immediate priority. Support for prisoners to help maintain their family ties and work in general to deliver rehabilitative and resettlement services were impressive.

Doncaster was a very well led prison. The director and his management team were responsible for a capable and confident culture despite the former only taking up his role at the beginning of the pandemic. An important component of this culture was their visible leadership. They had taken very effective action in response to a formal improvement notice issued by the Ministry of Justice in 2020 following concerns about safety. The general sense of order and calm in the prison was a testament to the success of this action. Leaders had also taken advantage of the time made available to staff by the pandemic to support them with training and to oversee improvements to the governance of the prison. This capability and creativity in the prison was further evidenced by the nine examples of notable practice we identified.

Doncaster is not an easy prison to run. Leaders and their staff are to be congratulated on the progress they have achieved even during challenging times.

Charlie Taylor

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

March 2021

 

Return to Doncaster

To read the full reports, go to the Ministry of Justice site or follow the links below: