HMP Coldingley – A Cat C, Training and Resettlement Prison.

Suzanne and I recently visited HMP Coldingley near Woking, where Prison Governor, Dom Clegowski, welcomed us and arranged for Sam Williams to give us a tour.

It is a Category C, training and resettlement prison for men with a remit to help prisoners learn new skills and be better prepared for release into the Community. To this end they have a DHL facility on site, a printing operation and a graphic design and sign making facility; all of which were in active use when we toured round and had the opportunity to chat to Teresa Shearer, Head of Education, Skills and Works.

The prison was built in 1969 and is now undergoing staged refurbishment as the original cells did not have any toilet or basin facilities; instead an automated one in one out system allowing prisoners to access facilities is in operation at night for about of third of prisoners , which can lead to inmates waiting in long queues. The prison does have an on site doctors surgery, dentist and opticians and extensive gym equipment which was being well used whilst we were there.

Like many of the other prisons we have visited, they are operating near full capacity and are constantly battling an influx of drugs and drone flights; but the prisoners get to spend a large amount of time outside their cells and there seemed to be a genial relationship between the staff and inmates.