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<p>We are grateful to the Independent Monitoring Board for its report, and for the
vital work its members undertake to monitor the welfare of prisoners, to ensure that
they are properly cared for. The report comments on the impact of staffing challenges
affecting the regime at both HM/YOI Feltham A (young people under 18) and HMP/YOI
Feltham B (adults and young adults over 18), as well as on the suitability of the
education programmes available.</p><p>Since the end of the period covered by the Independent
Monitoring Board’s report (1 September 2022- 31 August 2023), the staffing position
at Feltham A has improved, and it now has the resources in place to provide a safe
and productive regime for young people, with increased time-out-of-room.</p><p>The
Youth Custody Service (YCS) has commissioned a resource review across all four public
sector young offender institutions, to explore opportunities to make better use of
the staff available in the current operating environment. This includes looking at
the balance between management and frontline supervisory staff. The first review was
at Feltham A in 2023, and a delivery plan following this review will be implemented
shortly. The YCS will monitor the impact of this on service delivery. Support is also
being provided at Feltham A to aid staff retention; sickness absence monitoring, with
appropriate support, is a feature of regular management oversight.</p><p>The report
of an Independent Review of Progress at Feltham B, conducted by HM Inspectorate of
Prisons in January 2024, found that the prison had made reasonable progress in relation
to encouraging positive behaviour. In addition, following a resource and risk assessment
review, improved arrangements for purposeful activity are being put in place, to support
the aim of reducing re-offending and increasing readiness for work, to help prisoners
to gain employment upon release.</p>
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