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4. NEW DEVELOPMENTS
New Activities Complex
The new Activities Complex was due to open a few weeks after the follow up inspection. The inspection team made a return visit after it had opened.
The facility has excellent potential. It was providing 130 prisoners with purposeful activity on the day of the return visit. This activity ranged from vocational training workshops such as plumbing, painting and decorating, forklift driving and joinery, to services such as the laundry and kitchen, production workshops and a temporary multi-gym. There is still room for more, and plans are in place to increase the opportunities available to convicted prisoners. It is anticipated that the facility will provide activity for more than 250 prisoners in the future.
Overall, the new facility is a significant improvement and supports the prison's aspiration to establish a "college culture". Without exception, staff and prisoners spoke very positively about it.
Reception
The purpose built reception area is a refreshing change from the design and facilities associated with 'traditional' prison reception areas. It is spacious and has a number of communal holding rooms including one for any prisoner who needs to be kept separate from other prisoners. There are no cubicles which is welcomed. New admissions have the opportunity to make a telephone call from reception. This is also welcomed.
There are rooms available where reception staff can hold one-to-one interviews with prisoners, as well as a room for the reception healthcare interview. However, personal details are entered on to the SPS Prisoner Record System at the main admission desk, and there is no facility to complete this process in an interview room even if the individual is distressed or is having difficulty standing at the desk. This is something which should be reviewed. The fact that prisoners do not routinely get a shower before moving on to their appointed residential area should also be reviewed.
There are very good facilities for the storage of prisoners' property. The main room has a rail type racking system which is very space efficient and allows clothing to be safely stored. Another room has static racks to hold additional individual property and an area for storing valuable property.
A very good peer support system operates within the reception area. This prisoner meets and greets new admissions and offers help and support to those who require or ask for it.
Kitchen
A new kitchen has been fitted with modern catering equipment. This speeds up the cooking time, and meals do not have to be cooked so early that they reach the prisoner in an unappetising condition. A training kitchen and classroom are situated adjacent to the new kitchen and will provide the opportunity for catering training modules to be delivered. Staff and prisoners spoke highly of the new kitchen.
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