Violence increases at HMP Peterborough

The number of violent attacks at HMP Peterborough has increased over the past year, a new report has revealed.
HMP Peterborough EMN-150912-163117009HMP Peterborough EMN-150912-163117009
HMP Peterborough EMN-150912-163117009

The increase in violence is revealed in an annual report, carried out by Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB).

HMP Peterborough, located on Saville Road, is the only jail in the country which has both male and female prisoners.

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The report says the increase has coincided with a rise in prison population.

The report says: “It is noted that the incidence of violence, particularly in the men’s prison, has increased. The average number of serious assaults each month was 4. The increase coincided with population pressures and the admission of a number

of prisoners diverted to HMP Peterborough on Tornado transfers.

“There has also been an increase in the Use of Force, but many incidents are low level (e.g. interventions to prevent self harm).”

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The report also reveals there were four deaths in custody last year.

The report said: “Of these, 2 were due to natural causes, 1 was self inflicted and 1 is under investigation. The Staff Care Team and Family Liaison officers acted sensitively and professionally in their respective roles.”

A recommendation to appoint a Violence Reduction Manager to focus on the issues underpinning violence was made.

However, the prison was also praised for working to help inmates re-settle into the community.

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The report said: “The Prison has built on strong links within the local community to increase the number of residents granted Release On Temporary Licence (ROTL) for employment.

“On a typical day there were 14 men and 1 woman engaging with the ROTL process working in placements such as the Park Inn, Sue Ryder, YMCA, Barnardo’s Charity shop, FRE Mechanics, ARGOS and the prison’s Outside Links service.”

The report also praised the introduction of non smoking wings at the jail, as well as the use of ‘video courts’ which enable prisoners to have their court hearings at the jail, rather than be transferred to court houses.