Bronzefield (HM Prison)
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| Location | Ashford, Surrey |
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| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Adult Female/Juvenile |
| Capacity | 527 (December 2009) |
| Opened | 2004 |
| Managed by | Sodexo Justice Services |
| Director | Helga Swidenbank |
HMP Bronzefield is a Category A adult and young offender female's prison located on the outskirts of Ashford in Surrey, England. Bronzefield is the only purpose-built private prison solely for women in the UK, and is the largest female prison in Europe. The prison is operated by Sodexo Justice Services.
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[edit] History
Bronzefield Prison was opened in June 2004 as the UK's new top security prison for women.
Since its opening Bronzefield has been the subject of many news articles in the tabloid press, most notably about well-known prisoners, its supposedly lax regime and continued poor industrial relations.[1]
In 2009, a 77 bed unit was built on the existing site, taking the operational capacity up to 527.
In 2012 it was reported that Bronzefield was the first prison in the UK to have its own branch of the Women's Institute. The branch is for members of staff and inmates who are taking part of resettlement programmes ahead of their release.[2]
[edit] The prison today
HM Prison Bronzefield is currently one of only two prisons to house Category A prisoners in the female estate (female and juvenile category-A prisoners are called "restricted status" prisoners). The prison is staffed by approx 160 prison officers which has a ratio of 60% female and 40% male officers to reflect the need for a women's prison. Bronzefield is also a local prison, taking prisoners directly from the courts. Bronzefield holds a wide range of female offenders, including remand, sentenced and restricted status women.
Accommodation at Bronzefield is divided into four main residential units, each holding approximately 135 women each. The prison also has a 12 bed Mother and Baby Unit, accommodating children up to 18 months old. Bronzefield has a Level 4 Healthcare provision with inpatient facilities for 18 women, as well as a smaller 10-bed Help & Direction Unit.
Bronzefield offers full time education courses including Art, ESOL and Information Technology. There are also workshops in Painting and Decorating, Cleaning Science and Arts and Crafts.
[edit] Notable inmates
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bronzefield (HM Prison) |
Coordinates: 51°25′58″N 0°29′03″W / 51.432889°N 0.484096°W
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