By Ben Kerrigan
A new data-driven jail improvement initiative called Prison Performance Support Programme (PPSP) for to clamp down on drugs and violence in British jails has been announced. The initiative will begin with the implementing of safety and rehabilitation of six challenging jails in the Uk.
The new Prison Performance Support programme is a substitute for Special Measures and is designed to provide a substantial package of customised support managed from a dedicated operations room, the Ministry of Justice has announced today. Included in its wide ranging initiative are plans to bolster prison security, clamping down on the weapons, drugs and mobile phones that fuel violence, self-harm and crime behind bars.
By leveraging data to focus on bringing down violence and self-harm, the Prison Performance Support Programme will aim to increase standards as quickly as possible. It will be monitored by an operations room team based at Prison Service HQ that will closely work with staff on the ground.
Based on what is determined using the data and operational judgement, prisons will move in and out of the jail improvement programme on a need basis.bolster prison security, clamping down on the weapons, drugs and mobile phones that fuel violence, self-harm and crime behind bars. Violence and drug abuse is rife in British prisons and has been subject to failed government approaches in the past. Drug smuggling, gang affiliation, and even extremism are some of the evils that have dogged British jails for decades.
Boris Johnson’s government has vowed to be very tough on crime and appear to be acting accordingly, toughening laws to punish intolerable offences.
The Ministry Of Justice said that the new jail improvement initiative will build on lessons learned from the 10 Prisons Project. A small number of jails are to be improved by implementing additional staff, enhanced standards training, and stringent airport-style security among others with an aim to bring stability.
The six prisons to be part of the Prison Performance Support Programme are HMPs Pentonville, Wormwood Scrubs, Hewell, Bedford, Bristol, and Feltham A. The prisons will initially get the customised support, and have been selected after a detailed assessment. The jails will benefit from additional funding towards better living and working conditions, and also a standards coaching team, which will develop confidence and skills of staff.
UK Prisons and Probation Minister Lucy Frazer(pictured) said:
“We know that some prisons face deep-rooted issues that cannot be fixed overnight, which is why this programme will be vital to support and improve them.
“This co-ordinated, intensive support represents a step up in our response to the long-term challenges affecting certain jails.
“Allied to the £2.75 billion this government is investing to transform the estate, improve security and promote rehabilitation, this is another way in which we will drive up standards.”
Six prisons – HMPs Pentonville, Wormwood Scrubs, Bedford, Bristol, Hewell and Feltham A – will initially receive this bespoke support, and have been chosen following a detailed assessment.The jails will benefit from additional funding to improve living and working conditions, and a Standards Coaching Team will develop staff confidence and skills – something that proved successful during the 10 Prisons Project.
PJ Butler, Governor at HMP Bedford, said:
As the Governor of one our most challenging prisons, I appreciate the support being given to me and my team by the Prison Performance Support Programme. The investment in modern technology and additional resources will greatly help us to restrict the supply of drugs and other illicit items, which cause misery and harm.
Our aim at Bedford is to return responsible citizens, not offenders, to their communities and the PPSP will help us to do this.
PPSP will use data to focus on reducing violence and self-harm with the aim of raising standards as quickly as possible. It will be overseen by an operations room team at Prison Service HQ, that will work closely with staff on the ground”.