HMP Bure - Solid achievments but more purposeful activity needed

HMP Bure opened in late 2009. It specialises in the detention and treatment of sex offenders. It was inspected in 2010 when inspectors praised what had been a smooth and effective opening phase. This more recent inspection found an institution where outcomes were reasonably good or better in three out of four healthy prison tests – safety, respect and resettlement – but had deteriorated in purposeful activity.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• Bure was a safe prison, with low levels of violence, force rarely used and segregation used sparingly;
• levels of self-harm were low and care for those who experienced a self-harm crisis was good;
• most prisoners had someone on the staff they could approach for help if needed;
• most support for resettlement was good, aided by an excellent resettlement drop-in centre;
• public protection arrangements were very good; and
• there had been some good early work with prisoners in denial of their offending behaviour.

However, inspectors were concerned to find that:

• some prisoners waited for days before getting their medications, often being turned away without treatment for what were sometimes serious conditions;
• the leadership and management of learning and skills needed to improve and too much teaching was just adequate;
• there were insufficient activity places and too many prisoners had not enough to do with their time, although the places that were available were well used; and
• much better oversight and case supervision was needed for the officers who were managing many high risk-of-harm sex offender cases.

Nick Hardwick said:

‘Bure benefits from having a clear purpose, holding and treating sex offenders. As a group these prisoners are generally cooperative and easier to manage in a custodial context. The main challenge the prison faces is in ensuring its treatment of these men helps reduce risk as many prepare for release. Much of what has been achieved at Bure in its early years of operation is very good. However, prisoners need to be occupied more fully, and incremental improvements are required to ensure offender management is operating to the highest standards.’

‘Bure is a secure and well-run prison that offers good outcomes for the prisoners it holds. I am pleased that the Chief Inspector has also recognised the progress in resettlement and the promising early work with prisoners in denial of their offending behaviour – these will both help reduce reoffending on release and protect the public.

‘The Governor and her staff are working hard to address the areas of concern in the report, particularly in the areas of learning and skills and purposeful activity.’

1. Read a copy of the report. (509 kB)
2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
3. This unannounced inspection was carried out from 29 April–10 May 2013.
4. HMP Bure is a category C prison. It is a sex offender treatment centre, which prioritises offenders from the East of England.
5. Please contact Barbara Buchanan at HMI Prisons on 020 7035 2102 if you would like more information or to request an interview.