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HMP Wormwood Scrubs, Bedford and Feltham among first to
benefit
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more staff, new technology and maintenance improvements
will play key part
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will build on success of 10 Prisons Project with a
data-driven approach
The Prison Performance Support Programme (PPSP) replaces Special
Measures, and will offer a significant package of tailored
support managed from a dedicated operations room.
Building on lessons learned from the 10 Prisons Project, a
small number of chosen jails will be boosted by measures
including additional staff, enhanced standards training and tough
airport-style security, in order to bring stability.
Prisons and Probation Minister , said:
We know that some prisons face deep-rooted issues that cannot
be fixed overnight, which is why this programme will be vital
to support and improve them.
This co-ordinated, intensive support represents a step up in
our response to the long-term challenges affecting certain
jails.
Allied to the £2.75 billion this government is investing to
transform the estate, improve security and promote
rehabilitation, this is another way in which we will drive up
standards.
Six prisons - HMPs Pentonville, Wormwood Scrubs, Bedford,
Bristol, Hewell and Feltham A - will initially receive this
bespoke support, and have been chosen following a detailed
assessment.
The jails will benefit from additional funding to improve living
and working conditions, and a Standards Coaching Team will
develop staff confidence and skills – something that proved
successful during the 10 Prisons Project.
PJ Butler, Governor at HMP Bedford, said:
As the Governor of one our most challenging prisons, I
appreciate the support being given to me and my team by the
Prison Performance Support Programme. The investment in modern
technology and additional resources will greatly help us to
restrict the supply of drugs and other illicit items, which
cause misery and harm.
Our aim at Bedford is to return responsible citizens, not
offenders, to their communities and the PPSP will help us to do
this.
PPSP will use data to focus on reducing violence and self-harm
with the aim of raising standards as quickly as possible. It will
be overseen by an operations room team at Prison Service HQ, that
will work closely with staff on the ground.
As the programme progresses, there will be continued analysis of
other prisons across the estate, and support will be adapted
accordingly. Depending on what is determined using the data and
operational judgement, prisons will move in and out of PPSP
according to greatest need.
The initiative will sit alongside the government’s £2.75 billion
commitment to transform the prison estate with:
- £100 million to bolster prison security, clamping down on the
weapons, drugs and mobile phones that fuel violence, self-harm
and crime behind bars
- £2.5 billion to provide 10,000 additional prison places and
create modern, efficient jails that rehabilitate offenders,
reduce reoffending and keep the public safe
- £156 million to tackle the most pressing maintenance issues
to create safe and decent conditions for offender rehabilitation
