HM Prison Norwich is a Category B/C prison for adult and juvenile males, located on Mousehold Heath in Norwich, Norfolk and operated by His Majesty's Prison Service.
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| Location | Norwich, Norfolk |
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| Security class | Adult Males/Juveniles |
| Population | 767 (as of February 2010) |
| Opened | 1887 |
| Managed by | HM Prison Services |
| Governor | Declan Moore |
| Website | Norwich at justice.gov.uk |
History
editNorwich opened as a prison in 1887 on the site of the Britannia Barracks the former home of the Royal Norfolk Regiment. The impressive barrack block which stood behind the facade served as a Category C prison for some years from the 1970s but was demolished in the 1980s and replaced by a modern Category B prison block. The Victorian prison which stands at the end of Knox Road behind the old Barracks site was built in the mid-19th century as part of the reformation of the penal system brought about by reformers, including Elizabeth Fry.
The prison has had a variety of roles over the years, but today acts as a prison for Category B & C inmates. In January 2003, a report from His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons criticised Norwich Prison for factors including poor cleanliness and the failure of its anti-drug and anti-bullying programmes. The report also criticised the lack of work and education opportunities.[1]
In November 2004, the Prison Reform Trust criticised the prison for overcrowding, stating that nearly half of all single cells were holding two prisoners, and inmates were spending too much time locked up in their cells.[2]
At around this time Norwich became the only prison in England and Wales to have a unit exclusively for elderly males, mainly serving life sentences.
The prison today
editThe wings and units house different facilities and prisoner categories:
- Wing A1 - Category B & C prisoners
- Wing A2 - Category B & C prisoners
- Wing A3 - Category B & C prisoners
- Wing A4 - Sex offenders & vulnerable prisoners
- Wing A5 - Sex offenders & vulnerable prisoners
- Wing A6 - Induction Wing
- Wing B1 - Category B & C prisoners
- Wing B2 - Category B & C prisoners
- Wing B3 - Category B & C prisoners
- Wing C1 - Violence Reduction landing
- Wing C2 - Category B & C prisoners
- Wing C3 - Category B & C prisoners
- Wing D - Britannia House (Category D prisoners)
- Wing K - Older prisoner Wing (Category B & C)
- Wing F - Local discharge unit (Category C)
- Wing G - Local discharge unit (Category C)
- Wing H - Healthcare Centre
- Wing L - Elderly prisoners (mainly serving life sentences)
- Wing M - Sex offenders & vulnerable prisoners
Education provision for inmates at Norwich Prison is mainly centred on basic and key skills. Other courses offered include ESOL, Food Hygiene, First Aid, Health and Safety, NVQ Catering, Art and Craft and pre-release work programmes. Workshops offer printing, textiles, contract packing services and gardens. Other facilities include a gym and a multi-faith chaplaincy.
There is also a Prison Visitor Centre which is operated by the Ormiston Children and Families Trust.
On 4 May 2016, ITV broadcast Her Majesty's Prison: Norwich. The documentary records the daily life of the inmates and their families.[3]
Notable former inmates
editReferences
edit- ^ "Inspector criticises prison's dirt and drugs". BBC. 7 January 2003. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
- ^ "Norwich jail overcrowding slammed". BBC. 4 November 2004. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
- ^ ITV press release Retrieved 5 May 2016
- ^ "Reggie Kray recovers after surgery". BBC. 4 August 2000. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
- ^ Freeman, Simon (7 November 2005). "Nazi war criminal dies in UK prison". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 11 February 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
- ^ "Train Robber Biggs wins freedom". BBC. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ Ben Kendall (14 September 2009). "Inside Norwich's lifers' unit". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 2 May 2013.