Doncaster (HM Prison)

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Doncaster Prison, located in Doncaster, England, was opened in 1994. Classified as a 'local remand' prison, it accommodated 1,120 inmates in August, 2005, considerably more than its original design envisaged. Management of the prison was originally contracted out by the Home Office to Premier Prison Services Ltd, a joint venture between SERCO and US company Wackenhut Corrections. In 2005, SERCO bought out Wackenhut and now runs the prison alone.

The prison provides education – literacy, numeracy, IT and vocational skills - healthcare, drug and alcohol counselling, and offending behaviour courses.

Doncaster has pioneered links with the local community in order to reduce the chances of former prisoners re-offending. Schemes have been set up with local employers, landlords and other agencies to ensure ex-prisoners have the best chance of successful resettlement. The prison also has links with a ‘halfway house’ in a nearby town where prisoners can live after release as they adjust to life beyond the prison wall.

Address: off North Bridge Road, Marshgate, Doncaster, DN5 8UX on an island between two branches of the River Don.

Notable inmates: Prince Naseem Hamed, former boxing world champion, jailed for driving dangerously.