- Mutual agreement with G4S to end contract early
- The costs of the ‘step-in’ have
been covered in the settlement we will receive from G4S
- Improvements to the prison continue at pace
Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) took over the
running of the prison for an initial six-month period in August
2018, which was extended in February until the end of the summer.
HMPPS has now decided, with the full agreement of G4S, to end the
contract and bring HMP Birmingham back in-house.
Prisons Minister said:
I am confident that HMP Birmingham has made good progress since
the ‘step-in’ but to build on this, the prison needs stability
and continuity.
That is why we have mutually agreed with G4S that the public
sector is better placed to drive the long-term improvements
required and the contract will end.
Our priority remains the safety of prisoners and staff but this
move to restore and consolidate order at one of our most
challenging jails will ultimately make sure that we are better
protecting the public.
Minister Stewart emphasised that this move was a response to the
specific circumstances faced by HMP Birmingham and the Urgent
Notification received by the Secretary of State from HM Chief
Inspector of Prisons.
He added:
We need to be absolutely clear that we still believe in a mixed
economy of providers with some of our private prisons among the
best performing in the country.
Indeed, G4S itself is running excellent prisons at Altcourse
and Oakwood, and this Government believes passionately that
private providers should continue to play a crucial role in our
system.
As part of the decision to bring HMP Birmingham back into the
public sector:
- HMPPS has agreed a settlement with G4S paying £9.9 million to
cover the additional cost of the ‘step-in’ action – including
additional HMPPS staff. This meets the department’s commitment to
recover ‘step-in’ costs in accordance with the contract and
includes a sum to cover essential maintenance works.
- G4S staff at Birmingham will transfer to HMPPS contracts on 1
July and are being supported through the transition. Trade unions
are involved in this process.
- Experienced Governor Paul Newton, who took command of the
prison last August at the time of the ‘step-in’, will remain in
post to lead the prison and steer the transformation process.
Work continues to drive-up standards at the prison and the action
taken includes:
- The introduction of a new dedicated search team to detect and
deter those responsible for bringing contraband into the
establishment. A recent full lockdown search was highly
successful in addressing contraband.
- A bolstered senior management team and more than 30
additional, experienced prison officers supporting the team on
the ground.
- New safety initiatives including the roll-out of the key
worker model - ensuring that each prisoner has dedicated support
from a prison officer, and a refreshed violence strategy to
tackle the causes of violent behaviours.
- Additional training for staff in managing vulnerable and
violent offenders.
- The refurbishment of one wing which is now being repopulated.
The visitors centre is also undergoing renovation and a new
family strategy has been introduced.
Notes to editors:
- The Government announced its
‘step-in’ action in August following an Urgent
Notification by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. This was for an
initial six-month period.
- In February, the Prisons Minister confirmed that the
‘step-in’ period had been extended until the summer.
