HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay was a successful open prison that had risen to most of the challenges presented to it, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons. Today he published the report of an unannounced inspection of the Suffolk prison.

Most of the men or young adults held at HMP Hollesley Bay are serving long or indeterminate sentences. The population varies from men with only a very short time left to serve to those subject to release by the parole board. The prison’s job is to prepare these men for release. The prison manages this well. Its last full inspection was in 2009 when findings were similarly positive.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• the prison remained very safe, with very few incidents of bullying and violence;
• the challenges around illicit drugs and alcohol were well managed;
• most of the living accommodation was decent and in good condition and the whole site was kept clean;
• relationships between staff and prisoners were very strong;
• the overall atmosphere was focused on resettlement;
• learning and skills were very strong and all prisoners were engaged in meaningful activities, either inside the prison or in the community on temporary release: this prepared them well to find employment on release; and
• resettlement provision effectively supported work to reintegrate men into the wider community and reduce risk.

However, inspectors were concerned to find that:

• Bosmere unit, although well looked after, was old and outdated and needed to be replaced;
• despite managers responding to previous recommendations about keeping a focus on diversity issues, over a third of black and minority ethnic prisoners reported in a survey that they had been victimised by staff and managers needed to explore and address this; and
• some offender management work needed attention.

Nick Hardwick said:

“Hollesley Bay remained an impressive open prison from which other similar establishments could learn. It was weathering well the various challenges it faced and was providing some very good outcomes for prisoners, and the wider community. It prepared men very well to find employment on release and so reduce the risk that they would reoffend. It was moving towards a merger with HMP Warren Hill, a neighbouring prison, which would, in itself, present a new set of challenges in maintaining and building on the evident strong work. As a successful institution it needs to guard against complacency and build on its considerable strengths.”

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service, said:

“As an open prison, Hollesley Bay plays a vital role in rehabilitating long-term offenders and helping them gradually reintegrate into the community before release.

“I am pleased that the Chief Inspector has highlighted that it continues to be an extremely well managed and effective prison, which provides a respectful and safe environment for offenders.

“The Governor and his staff deserve credit for the quality of work undertaken at Hollesley, particularly their outstanding efforts to engage prisoners in work and training to prepare them for release.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Read the report.
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. HMP Hollesley Bay is a category D open prison for adult and young adult men.
4. This unannounced inspection was carried out from 26 August- 5 September 2014.
5. Please contact Jane Parsons at HMI Prisons on 020 3681 2775 or 07880 787452 if you would like more information or to request an interview.