Tuesday, 22 Nov 2005
HMP Cookham Wood has made considerable progress, said Anne Owers, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced short follow-up inspection of the women's training prison.
The inspection found that many recommendations arising from the previous inspection in October 2003 had been achieved. Staff-prisoner relationships remained mutually respectful. Significant improvements had been made in reception, first night and induction arrangements, healthcare and detoxification. The prison had introduced a personal officer scheme and there was better support for black and minority ethnic and foreign national prisoners. There was much more purposeful activity and a greater focus on resettlement.
However, there were still concerns about:
- overcrowded accommodation, where women continued to share cramped cells meant for one;
- the need for more staff training in self-harm, suicide prevention and anti-bullying;
- insufficient management oversight of the use of force, special cells and the 'respite care' unit where women were segregated; and
- little work was being done with life-sentenced prisoners.
Importantly, for a women's prison, there was still no purpose-built visitors' centre, and women's ability to stay in touch with families and friends was further hampered by the frequent cancellation of evening association.
Anne Owers said:
"Overall, managers and staff at Cookham Wood are to be commended for the progress made since our last inspection, in the face of continued overcrowding. Most of our recommendations in key areas affecting prisoners' safety, activity and resettlement had been met.
"There is further work to do, particularly to ensure that family links can be maintained, and the needs of life sentenced prisoners met."
Phil Wheatley, Director General of the Prison Service, said:
"I am pleased the governor and staff of Cookham Wood have been recognised for their hard work since the Chief Inspector's last report.
"I agree with the Chief Inspector that maintaining family ties is very important. Extra staff have been recruited at Cookham Wood, and association is rarely cancelled. A new regime has also been introduced in the prison to allow women extra time out of their cells.
"We recognise that Cookham Wood needs to do more work with life sentenced prisoners. Further resources have been deployed and a review of the systems for dealing with life sentenced prisoners will take place."
Notes to editors
- The unannounced short follow-up inspection of HMP Cookham Wood took place between 20 - 24 May 2005.
- HMP Cookham Wood is a closed women's training prison for convicted prisoners.
- HM Prisons Inspectorate reports and releases are available at http://inspectorates.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmiprisons/.
- For an electronic copy of the report or to request interviews with Anne Owers, please call 020 7035 3850.
