HM Prison Ashfield

HM Prison Ashfield (formerly Pucklechurch Remand Centre) is an adult male sex offenders prison located in the village of Pucklechurch (near Bristol), in Gloucestershire, England. The prison is operated by Serco.

HM Prison Ashfield
LocationPucklechurch, Gloucestershire
StatusOperational
Security classAdult Male/Category C
Capacity412 (Oct 2017)[1]
Opened1999
Managed bySerco
DirectorMartin Booth

Ashfield Prison was built on the site of the Pucklechurch Remand Centre, and opened in 1999. It was the first private prison in the United Kingdom to house young offenders. The prison was soon mired in controversy after repeated riots and reports of poor management. Conditions at the prison became so bad in 2003 that the Youth Justice Board withdrew prisoners from Ashfield, and threatened to recommend that the prison should be taken over by the public sector.[2] Conditions improved however, and the prison (under new management) was given a good inspection report the following year.[3]

In May 2006, staff at Ashfield won a Health team award from the 'Public Servants of the Year Awards'. The award was in recognition of the staff's dedication to improving healthcare and personal health education for inmates held at Ashfield.[4]

In March 2008, a new wing for first-time offenders was opened at Ashfield. The wing is specifically designed to create a positive environment for new inmates, and also has amenities for prisoners aged 15 and 16.[5]

In 2013 an inspection report that concluded offenders were "exposed to unacceptable levels of violence", including bones broken after the use of force by staff.[6] Ashfield was converted to an adult male prison for sex offenders since July 2013 and a Treatment site since 2014.[7]

Pucklechurch Remand Centre

From 1962 the Pucklechurch Remand Centre was built on the site of the former RAF Pucklechurch, opening in 1965 and expanded in 1978.[8] The remand centre was destroyed in a riot in 1990.[9][10]

Notable former inmates
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References
  1. "HMP Ashfield stands out as a high performing prison". Independent Monitoring Boards. 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
  2. "UK | England | Youngsters removed from 'worst' jail". BBC News. 2003-02-05. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  3. "Information and results for 'Inspectors find "significant improvement" at PFI prison.(Ashfield PFI youth offenders institution)' | AccessMyLibrary - Promoting library advocacy". AccessMyLibrary. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  4. "UK | England | Bristol/Somerset | Young offender team wins award". BBC News. 2006-05-24. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  5. "UK | England | Bristol/Somerset | New wing open to young offenders". BBC News. 2008-03-14. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  6. "Ashfield YOI inmates 'had bones broken by staff'". BBC. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  7. "Pucklechurch sex offenders jail 'due in July". BBC. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  8. John Penny. "A short history of No.11 Balloon Centre at Pucklechurch 1939 to 1945 and R.A.F. Station Pucklechurch 1945 to 1959" (PDF). Fishponds Local History Society. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  9. "Sex offenders' prison will open near Bristol in July". Bristol Post Online. 19 April 2013. Archived from the original on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  10. "Pucklechurch Remand Centre: Disturbances". Hansard. 23 April 1990. HL Deb vol 518 cc318-26. Retrieved 4 June 2013.

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