Birmingham (HM Prison)

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HM Prison Birmingham, known locally as Winson Green Prison is a Victorian local prison in the Winson Green area of Birmingham, England.

The prison was built in 1849 for adult male prisoners. It serves the Crown and Magistrates' Courts of Birmingham, Stafford and Wolverhampton and the Magistrates' Courts of Burton, Cannock, Lichfield, Rugeley, Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth.

It has a capacity of 1450 prisoners, both convicted and on remand (as of 31 January 2006). Recently the prison has undergone a period of considerable change as a result of a multi-million pound investment programme by the Prison Service. 450 additional prisoner places have been added together with new workshops, educational facilities, a new healthcare centre and gymnasium as well as extensions and improvements to existing facilities.

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[edit] Governors

  • 1849 - 1851 Alexander Maconochie
  • Chris Scott
  • 2000 - 2007 Mike Shann OBE
  • 2007 - now James Shanley, present governor

[edit] Treatment for substance use

There are a number of services available at HMP Birmingham for individuals experiencing substance use problems.

  • The establishment is home to one of the larger CARAT teams in the country[1]. This service offers prisoners counselling, assessment, referral, advice and throughcare[2].
  • The Short Duration Programme (SDP) is an accredited four week Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme run to support those individuals motivated to change their substance use.
  • Inmates assessed as being suitable may receive a medical detox/maintenance including subutex and methadone. Prisoners receiving these prescriptions will reside on a specific detox wing.
  • The Voluntary Testing Unit (VTU) is a service provided for those individuals who have used substances in the past, but are making efforts to remain substance free[3]. These individuals will receive more regular, sporadic drug tests to act as a motivational tool.
  • Although not specifically a drug treatment, HMP Birmingham has a designated healthy living wing. All inmates on this wing will be signed up to the VTU.

[edit] Notable inmates

[edit] External links

[edit] References


Coordinates: 52°29′35.54″N, 1°56′14.05″W