| HMP Bristol | |
|---|---|
Horfield Prison, Bristol |
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| Management | HM Prison Service |
| Prison type | Adult Male/Category B |
| Prisoner figures | 614 (July 2008) |
| Location | Bristol, England |
| Governor | Kenny Brown |
| Information | www.justice.gov.uk |
HMP Bristol (previously known as Horfield Prison) is a Category B men's prison, located in the Horfield area of Bristol. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.
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Bristol's history includes fourteen executions, of which the last took place on 17 December 1963 when Russell Pascoe was hanged for the murder of William Rowe during a robbery. His accomplice Dennis Whitty met the same fate at HMP Winchester on the same morning.
The prison aroused controversy in 1996 when it was revealed that prisoners were sometimes transported to and from Bristol by a stretched limousine. Officials claimed the limo was only used when commercial taxis were not big enough to handle multiple prisoner transfers with prison officers as security.[1] Soon after Bristol was upgraded to a Category A prison (part of the high security estate) holding the most dangerous prisoners.
A report from the Board of Visitors in 2000 criticised Bristol Prison for keeping some remand inmates on a punishment regime in segregation.[2] Bristol faced more criticism in 2002 when it emerged that a shortage of staff nurses had resulted in the prison paying out thousands of pounds for agency nursing staff.[3] A year later, Bristol was downgraded back to a Category B local prison, after repeated overcrowding and safety concerns from nearby residents. [4]
Bristol Prison came in for more criticism in 2005 after a report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons cited inconsistent management, poor safety, and negative race relations at the jail.[5] A year later officers at the prison reported rising levels of violence due to widespread use of heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis among inmates.[6]
Bristol Prison currently holds remand prisoners as well as convicted prisoners, including prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment. The term 'local' means that this prison holds people on remand to the local courts. It also acts as a Category B facility for the southwest of England.
The prison provides courses in inter-personal skills and enhanced thinking as well as employment training. Some prisoners are employed in the prison workshops. In addition there is a listeners scheme operating at Bristol for prisoners who may be at risk from suicide or self harm.
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