| HMP Swaleside | |
|---|---|
| Management | HM Prison Service |
| Prison type | Adult Male/Category B |
| Prisoner figures | 1132 (February 2010) |
| Location | Eastchurch, Kent |
| Governor | Jim Bourke |
| Information | www.justice.gov.uk |
HM Prison Swaleside is a Category B men's prison, located close to the village of Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Swaleside forms part of the Sheppey prisons cluster, which also includes HMP Elmley and HMP Standford Hill. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.
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In August 2002, an investigation was launched into a major disturbance at Swaleside Prison. The aggression of an inmate locked in his cell was the catalyst, with some prisoners in the same wing refusing to return to their cells and demanding money and a helicopter.[1]
In April 2006, a prison officer from Swaleside was jailed for two years, after he tried to smuggle cannabis into the prison. The officer (who is the son of a prison governor) had been discovered as he reported for his shift during a routine search.[2]
Two months later, an inspection report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons praised Swaleside Prison for its "greatly improved living conditions and atmosphere."[3] The report also stated that relations between staff and prisoners were good and security was well-managed. However the prison was told to increase employment places and training programmes for prisoners, as well as improve anti-bullying and race relations strategies.[3]
A further inspection report in September 2008, again praised Swaleside for being a safe prison with good staff-prisoner relations. The report also highlighted improvements in the prisons anti-bullying, suicide and self harm prevention arrangements. However the report again criticised the amount of time prisoners spent in their cells, with a lack of work and training places available at the jail. The report also called for further improvements in race relations at Swaleside.[4]
Swaleside is a Category B prison for adult males, more than half of them serving life sentences. The prison also has a high minority ethnic population of between 30-40%, and a similar number of foreign national prisoners.
Education at the prison is provided by Amersham & Wycombe College, with courses ranging from basic education to Open University level. Employment activities for inmates include industrial cleaning, engineering, and commercially run industries workshops.
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