Prison under fire for housing young women with lifers
Joe Lepper
Monday, September 7, 2009
Prison inspectors have criticised Low Newton women's prison and young offender institution for housing prisoners as young as 18 alongside lifers and some of the UK's most dangerous prisoners.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons has called into question the prison's policy of dispersing its 18 to 21-year-old prisoners across the prison, following an unannounced inspection in April.
Inspectors found they were being accommodated on the lifers' and long-term prisoner wing, which includes 12 women on the Primrose Project, a national treatment programme for dangerous women with severe personality disorders.
Younger prisoners were no longer accommodated together separately due to "discipline problems", the inspectors found.
They urged the prison to reconsider its dispersal policy, especially the placing of young women alongside those on the Primrose Project.
Inspectors also recommended that a dedicated alcohol service should be provided for young prisoners.
Despite the criticism, the Durham-based prison was praised by inspectors for its education and training support.
Phil Wheatley, director-general of the National Offender Management Service, said: "I am pleased that the report highlights the improvements to education, training and resettlement work, as well as constructive relationships with staff."
