| HMP Gloucester | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1782 |
| Management | HM Prison Service |
| Prison type | Adult Male/Category B |
| Prisoner figures | 323 (January 2005) |
| Location | Gloucester, Gloucestershire |
| Governor | Mike Bolton |
| Information | www.justice.gov.uk |
HM Prison Gloucester is a Category B men's prison, located in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.
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Designed by William Blackburn, Gloucester opened as a County Gaol in 1782, and was substantially rebuilt in 1840. A new young offenders wing was built at the prison in 1971. Further improvements were made in 1987, including a new gate, administration block and visits centre.
In April, 2003, Gloucester was singled out in a survey as "among the 20 most overcrowded jails" in the United Kingdom.[1] The following day, the prison was the scene of a three-and-a-half hour siege when two prisoners protested over visiting rights by barricading themselves in a cell.
A Time Bank scheme was launched at Gloucester Prison in February 2006. Inmates who join the scheme restore bicycles in the prison workshop, and this time is credited to their friends and families who can cash it in to get help from volunteers in the community.[2] The scheme continues at the prison today.
In June 2007, the Independent Monitoring Board criticised Gloucester Prison for its overcrowding, poor dining provision and cramped cells.[3] A month later over 100 prisoners had to be moved to other jails after severe flooding across the Gloucestershire area submerged the ground floor of the prison and interfered with its water supplies.[4]
In August 2007, the prison was criticised by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons after an inspection report found the levels of organised activities for inmates at Gloucester (such as training and education) were "woeful". The report also stated that one wing of the prison should be refurbished. However the prison was described as "very positive" overall because of good management.[5]
Gloucester is a category B adult local prison and young offender remand centre. The term 'local' means that this prison holds people on remand to the local courts; it also holds defendants sentenced by local courts before dispersal to longer-term prisons.
The prison's Enterprise Centre is a work, education and training centre. As well as education courses the centre accommodates the cycle repair workshop. The Resettlement Unit which opened in 2003 helps inmates that are soon to be released in obtaining employment and accommodation after their prison term ends. There is also a Listener scheme for inmates which is organised by the Samaritans.
The prison's original gate house (dating back to 1742) has been converted into a Visitors and Family Support Centre which is open for every visits session. There is also a private visits room, which is available in afternoon visiting sessions.
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