HMP High Down – Focusing on Rehabilitation.

Having spent the previous afternoon at HMP Send at the Our Time Art Exhibition, Suzanne and I visited the largest prison for men in Surrey, HMP High Down, the following day.

It houses some 1,200 convicted men (no remand prisoners) and is a Category C prison. We were welcomed by Richard Jackman, the Business and Community Engagement Manager, and spent some time with the Prison Governor, Emily Martin, who enlightened us as to the daily routine at High Down. Rehabilitation is a main focus and the need to occupy the time of inmates productively is paramount. We saw workshops teaching bricklaying, plastering, carpentry, waste management, rail track laying, bike mechanics and fabric cutting (into towels and shower curtains). Also, there is a fully functioning DHL facility within the prison, a strong horticultural scheme and a fully equipped gym and 4G pitch. All inmates are encouraged to participate, the vast majority do, and of those which start a course an amazing 99% complete it, demonstrating the positive impact it has on prison life. The skills based training is backed up by educational lessons and courses designed to prepare the men for their release.

Richard gave us an extensive tour of the prison and we had the opportunity to talk to some of the inmates who were clearly enjoying the bricklaying training. Overall the impression was an environment of structured activity, helped by the routine and stability of the prison population. Like all prisons there is a problem with drones making illegal deliveries and a vacancy list for both prison staff and probation officers but the morale of the prison staff we met seemed high and there was a mutual respect between them and the prisoners.