Improving accommodation for released HMP Peterborough prisoners could cut re-offending rates

A report by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) was released today, with the board looking at both the male and female wings at the privately run jail.

For both wings, the report said: “The Board remains concerned about the lack of suitable accommodation for prisoners on release as proper resourcing of accommodation could be cost-effective in reducing reoffending.”

Accommodation in cells and on the wings was also criticised, with the report saying: “The standard of wing accommodation has improved but concerns remain: in-cell toilets are not adequately screened, some areas are in need of redecoration and wings are not always clean and tidy.”

The board also said there was an issue about how long prisoners are kept in the separation and care unit (SCU) on the female wing.

However, there was a lot of praise for the team running the jail. The report said: “The Board believes that, overall, prisoners are treated humanely and with decency. The Board is pleased to see that there has been a decrease in assaults on both prisoners and staff.”

On the male side, staff were praised for dealing with a difficult change to the prison’s status, with the report saying: “Peterborough re-rolled to become a reception prison, which caused several challenges. A number of prisoners, when realising they were to be transferred out, either resisted the move or caused violence as they sought to cash in debts. Prolific offenders needed to get used to being remanded to another prison, and there were attempts from new arrivals to challenge staff. The challenges were proactively and well handled. For example, gang members were dispersed across a number of wings.”

There has also been praise for the way the jail has dealt with the drug problem. The report said: “There is an integrated strategy which aims to decrease both the supply of and demand for illicit substances. The number of dog handlers was increased from one to three. The body scanner has been in operation, and its use increased in the latter part of the year. All Rule 39 incoming post was checked using an itemiser and dogs. Security was increased at visits. The prison made targeted use of lockdown searches, and on one occasion an amnesty was declared before the search.”