COVID-19 TEMPORARY CAPACITY EXPANSION BUNKER BINS

As part of Covid-19 contingency measures, the POA NEC have had regular dialogue with HMPPS around the newly created Covid-19 temporary capacity expansion.

This additional capacity is the over the wall units including some of the units described as bunker bins.

To date this extra capacity has been put in place in the following establishments:

HMP Askham Grange
HMP Bure
HMP Channings Wood
HMP Coldingley
HMP Coldingley Additional
HMP Drake Hall
HMP East Sutton Park
HMP Erlestoke
HMP Ford
HMP Foston Hall
HMP Guys Marsh
HMP Hatfield
HMP Highpoint
HMP Hollesley Bay
HMP Huntercombe
HMP Kirkham
HMP Kirklevington Grange
HMP Leyhill
HMP Lindholme
HMP Littlehey
HMP Moorland
HMP North Sea Camp
HMP North Sea Camp Additional
HMP Prescoed
HMP Spring Hill
HMP Stafford
HMP Standford Hill
HMP Sudbury
HMP The Verne
HMP Thorn Cross
HMP Wymott

Therefore, we would ask branches to give feedback to their NEC representative in relation to these units especially on how they are being used along with any issues or concerns branches may have relating to, but not limited to; 

• Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work – are they in place and are they suitable and sufficient for the task.
• Staffing – are the correct staffing levels in place and are they being maintained.
• Alarm Bell response – is this in place and can assistance be called swiftly to the site.
• Fire Safety – what fire systems are in place for this accommodation and is it suitable, also is there an up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment for the site and the accommodation. Can the emergency services access the site including their vehicles.
• Issue of PPE including inclement weather clothing for staff.
• Which prisoners are being housed in this accommodation are they shielding, are they key workers in the community or are they workers within the establishment such as kitchen workers.
• Any incidents of concern members have with the units.

If you have any concerns in relation to the Covid -19 temporary accommodation units, please make your area NEC representative aware.

Yours sincerely

JOE SIMPSON
Deputy General Secretary