Recurring concern
Inadequate CCTV coverage and monitoring in custodial settings
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Request correctionFirst reported 6 Jan 2014•Latest report 20 Dec 2019
What this concern includes
Includes deficiencies in CCTV facilities, monitored cells, coverage, live monitoring, recording, camera allocation, positioning, instructions or operation in custody suites, prisons and comparable custodial areas, including arrangements for detainees at risk.
Not included
- CCTV deficiencies in public, transport, leisure or other non-custodial settings.
- Broader custody observation, staffing or risk-assessment failures where CCTV is not the deficient control.
- Investigative or clinical decisions made after adequate CCTV footage was reliably captured and available.
- Reports
- 9
- Individual concerns
- 11
- Date range
- 2014–2019
- Stated actions
- 3
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of safer cells and CCTV-monitored cells
This report raised 20 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Increase the availability of safer cells for governors wherever possible through the national prison safety programme.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Capital investment requirements prevent safer-cell environmental improvements from progressing as quickly as desired.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Position
Existing ACCT support is considered sufficient to manage acute risk in most cases without additional safer-cell provision.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide CCTV coverage inside holding cells
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Lack of CCTV coverage on all prison wings
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Decisions to purchase and install CCTV and airport-style scanners at HMP Birmingham are outside the respondent’s remit while HMPPS manages the prison.
Stated by G4S Care And Justice Services (UK) Limited
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Position
HMPPS and the current Governing Governor are responsible for decisions and equipment relating to CCTV and airport-style scanners at HMP Birmingham.
Stated by G4S Care And Justice Services (UK) Limited
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Concerns raised1
Reliance on continuous CCTV monitoring to detect prisoner self-harm
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Insufficient CCTV-monitoring facilities for detainees at risk in custody
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised2
Failure to use CCTV monitoring as an adjunct to ACCT observation procedures
Unavailability of cells or facilities fitted with CCTV monitoring
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Insufficient CCTV coverage in prison common areas
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
CCTV cannot be installed throughout all prison areas because the required infrastructure and staff monitoring cannot be resourced.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Position
No further CCTV extension is planned because incidents in cardiovascular rooms are rare and staff can promptly attend those areas when needed.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Concerns raised2
Infrequent observation of CCTV screens
Inadequate quality of CCTV images within the healthcare unit
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Remove CCTV cameras from healthcare-unit cells and use constant-observation cells with constant supervision for prisoners requiring high observation.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service and Holme House Prison
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Concerns raised1
Lack of specific instructions and effective positioning for CCTV cell monitoring
This report raised 12 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Develop a custody-office work system that improves CCTV monitoring coverage and accountability.
Stated by Greater Manchester Police
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Existing CCTV arrangements are considered sufficient; staff will not be specifically instructed to observe the screen for Level 2 observations.
Stated by Greater Manchester Police
Data last updated 7 September 2026