The Independent Monitoring Board of the recently closed Gloucester Prison has published its report covering the final full year of the prison's life and the short period winding down to closure.
The report highlights the good work undertaken at Gloucester, but also raises the Board's concerns about aspects of the Government's policies for prisons. Even before the announcement of closure, the prison experienced changes at a rate unprecedented in recent times, for example to education provision for prisoners, to staff working conditions and reduced budgets.
The Board reports that the prison was hugely fortunate to have staff with a clear sense of professional responsibility, ensuring that positive staff-prisoner relationships were maintained during the unsettling periods of change and final closure.
The Board draws special attention to much good work undertaken at the prison, including the development of effective support for newly arrived prisoners, the inclusive services provided by the Chaplaincy team, and the wide-ranging health focused programmes provided by the PE department. However the report raises wider issues including concerns about the size of prisons.
HMP Gloucester had many limitations arising from the physical condition of its aging building and the location of the site. Nevertheless, its small size permitted staff and prisoners to develop a positive rapport, a feature which may be more difficult to cultivate in the larger establishments planned for the future. The Board also notes the Government's expectation for charitable funding and voluntary sector providers to fulfil some essential roles within the prison system, particularly for restorative justice and rehabilitation.
The report highlights the limitations of this approach if lack of voluntary funding and suitable volunteers are not immediately and consistently available.
The report highlights the good work undertaken at Gloucester, but also raises the Board's concerns about aspects of the Government's policies for prisons. Even before the announcement of closure, the prison experienced changes at a rate unprecedented in recent times, for example to education provision for prisoners, to staff working conditions and reduced budgets.
The Board reports that the prison was hugely fortunate to have staff with a clear sense of professional responsibility, ensuring that positive staff-prisoner relationships were maintained during the unsettling periods of change and final closure.
The Board draws special attention to much good work undertaken at the prison, including the development of effective support for newly arrived prisoners, the inclusive services provided by the Chaplaincy team, and the wide-ranging health focused programmes provided by the PE department. However the report raises wider issues including concerns about the size of prisons.
HMP Gloucester had many limitations arising from the physical condition of its aging building and the location of the site. Nevertheless, its small size permitted staff and prisoners to develop a positive rapport, a feature which may be more difficult to cultivate in the larger establishments planned for the future. The Board also notes the Government's expectation for charitable funding and voluntary sector providers to fulfil some essential roles within the prison system, particularly for restorative justice and rehabilitation.
The report highlights the limitations of this approach if lack of voluntary funding and suitable volunteers are not immediately and consistently available.