| Location | Uttoxeter, Staffordshire |
|---|---|
| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Category B |
| Capacity | 860 (December 2007) |
| Opened | 2001 |
| Managed by | Serco Group |
| Director | Wyn Jones |
Dovegate Prison is a Category B men's private prison, located near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, England. The prison is operated by the Serco Group.
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Her Majesty's Prison Dovegate opened in 2001 as a private prison, operated by the Serco Group.
In 2003 a report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons criticised Dovegate for its inexperienced staff, low staffing levels and a high turnover rate of staff. The report also stated that drug use at the jail was "prevalent", and that 17% of the inmates at Dovegate had reported being kicked, punched or assaulted by another prisoner.[1] A year later it emerged that there had been six cases of inmates using postage stamps to smuggle drugs into Dovegate Prison.[2]
There was a serious disturbance at Dovegate in 2007 involving about 30 prisoners who set bins alight and smashed TVs after inmates refused to return to their cells. The disturbance lasted six hours and was brought to an end after 120 officers were brought in from other prisons.[3] A year later a report from the Independent Monitoring Board for Dovegate Prison stated that violence had been reduced at the jail, which was safer for both inmates and staff. However the report was also critical of the prison for overcrowding and drugs problems amongst inmates.[4]
Dovegate receives Category B convicted prisoners serving 4 years and over with at least 18 months left to serve. Accommodation at the prison is divided into the main prison (660 places) and the therapeutic community (200 places).
The education department of the jail has space for 126 prisoners to receive part time education in classes operating 5 days per week, with evening classes every weekday. Activities range from basic skills to Open University courses. Other facilities include a library, shop, Gym and sports centre. Dovegate has 24-hour primary healthcare facility, with a full time medical officer.
Chaplaincy services include a full time Church of England Chaplain and a full time Islamic minister, part time Methodist and Roman Catholic ministers, as well as visiting Jewish, Buddhist and Sikh ministers. There is a dedicated place of worship with Christian and multi-faith areas.
There is a staffed visitor's centre. The visiting areas have a children's play area and canteen facilities.
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