Improvements since HMICFRS’ 2022 inspection

In February 2023, HMICFRS and the CQC published their findings from a joint inspection of GMP custody (from Aug-Oct 2022). They were highly critical and highlighted six causes of concern and 13 areas for improvement. 

We swiftly acted with a comprehensive plan worth £3.1million to address these concerns. 

It included new and increased leadership, extra staff (some additional 140 personnel), additional technology and training (a dedicated custody ‘subject matter expert’ works closely with our training school to ensure delivery of current, credible, and fit for purpose training), and greater accountability (creation of Custody Audit Performance with 150-200 proactive reviews per month).  

In addition, £7.5million is being invested for the reopening and refurbishment of Longsight custody. It will be our largest custody site and is set to become a flagship custody centre. 

In revisiting GMP in December 2023, HMICFRS concluded significant progress had been made such that they downgraded the six ‘causes of concern’ to ‘areas for improvement’. 

As of this month HMICFRS has signed off the following areas of improvement as complete: 

• Strong leadership ensuring good service provision, achieving appropriate detainee outcomes. 

• Making sure that staff understand and follow Authorised Professional Practice guidance. 

• Improved approach to detainees’ rights and entitlements. 

• Improved safety and environment of custody suites.  

• Improved care for detainees. 

• Better management of risk and assuring detainee safety. 

• Strengthened approach when transferring detainees safely to court or other agencies. 

• Maintaining dignity of detainees [including legitimate strip search decisions, recording, and ensuring detainees are not naked in their cell]. 

• Meeting the diverse and individual needs of detainees. 

• Arranging for appropriate adults to attend custody as soon as possible. 

• Improved governance, [transparency] and oversight of the use of force in custody. 

• Accurate and consistent maintenance and storage of detainees’ medicines. 

• Custody officers being confident in refusing detention when appropriate to do so. 

• Making sure detainees are aware they can, and are able to, make a complaint.