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Prisons

Answer

The National Offender Management Service is committed to reducing reoffending by giving prisoners the support they need to break away from a life of crime. An important factor in their rehabilitation is providing them with the opportunity to learn new skills, contribute positively to prison life and develop a strong work ethos. As part of this, prisoners have always carried out tasks under the supervision of staff to assist the running of the prison and to gain skills in preparation for release.

HMP Durham has recently added further opportunities to do this, with jobs such as the receipt and recording of routine applications; the provision of general information; non-confidential prisoner record preparation; the issuing of toiletries, and the delivery of information as part of the induction programme for new prisoners.

HMP Acklington merged with HMP Castington in March 2013 to form HMP Northumberland. From December 2013 HMP Northumberland has been operated under contract by Sodexo Justice Services. Since December 2013 prisoners have carried out some tasks previously undertaken by staff related to the stores department, prisoner property area, general cleaning, catering and electrical testing.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL560

Session

2015-16

Subjects

HMP Acklington HMP Durham

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk