East Midlands prison criticised in report

12 March 2014, 08:13 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Capital's been told a Derbyshire Prison is failing to help inmates re-settle into life outside of jail.

Sudbury Open Prison's main role is to get prisoners ready for the real world so they're less likely to re-offend when they're released.

But Chief Inspector of Prisons, Nick Hardwick, has told capitalfm.com that's not happening:

'Open prisons have an important part to play in the prison estate as a whole and in delivering rehabilitation objectives.

'The weaknesses we identified at HMP Sudbury reflect the fact that its resources are very stretched and the demands and challenges in managing this population have been underestimated.

'Some of this requires reconsideration at a national level but this report identifies much that the prison can and should do itself.'

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The inspection did find that the prison was safe with low levels of violence and health care had improved significantly; the prison will also be given more resources.

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service, said:

'As the Chief Inspector acknowledges we have tightened up temporary release arrangements at all open prisons including Sudbury.

'A review of work requirements has been completed and Sudbury will receive additional resources to ensure it is able to effectively manage its central task of preparing prisoners for release, reducing their risk of reoffending and protecting the public.'