A prison which houses some of Britain’s most dangerous female offenders has been praised as one of the country’s best.

New Hall Prison near Flockton received a glowing report today following an unannounced visit by government prison inspectors.

The women’s jail which houses 41 inmates serving indeterminate sentences was praised as ‘among the best of its type’ by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick.

Mr Hardwick said: “New Hall is a safe and very respectful prison which does an excellent job in providing women with a range of purposeful and vocationally-based activities and some sound support around the resettlement pathways.

“The prison is among the best of its type and we commend both the staff and management for the positive work they have done to achieve these outcomes.”

By comparison, equivalent women’s prisons Holloway, London; Foston Hall, Derbyshire and Bronzefield, Surrey received mixed reports from government inspectors in their latest reports.

Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire received a generally positive report.

Inspectors who visited New Hall in June praised the prison for its mental health care of inmates, many of whom have depression and suicidal thoughts as well as problems with drugs and alcohol.

New Hall, which opened as a women’s prison in 1987, received plaudits for its educational and activity programmes together with its schemes to prevent inmates re-offending.

READ MORE: New children's unit unveiled at New Hall Prison, Flockton

Tanya, left, an offender who will be the first to use the mother and child unit at New Hall Prison, with Justice Minister Simon Hughes and Governor Diane Pellew
Tanya, left, an offender who will be the first to use the mother and child unit at New Hall Prison, with Justice Minister Simon Hughes and Governor Diane Pellew

It was also lauded for its disciplinary procedures for non-compliant prisoners and its special treatment for inmates with complex needs, such as learning difficulties and acute mental health problems.

Inspectors, however, said the prison needed to be quicker in treating inmates who were due for release but were likely to re-offend.

Mr Hardwick said: “At our last inspection we found New Hall to be a basically safe and respectful prison with excellent purposeful activity and resettlement support.

“At this inspection we found the prison had improved still further and had addressed the key issues raised previously around safety and respect which were both now good.

Les Manton, governor at New Hall Prison

“Purposeful activity continued to provide excellent opportunities to the women held with Ofsted very unusually rating it ‘outstanding’ in all the areas it reported on.

“Resettlement pathway work remained very strong, but there were some deficits in offender management and some aspects of public protection work.”

Acting New Hall prison governor, Les Manton, said: “Women come to us extremely damaged. They’ve committed offences so it’s reasonable that they come to prison – but we see all sorts of underlying issues.

“We have massive support for dealing with those underlying issues. It’s not just about locking people up; it’s about treating them and doing everything so they don’t get locked up again.”

Factfile

HMP New Hall in figures (June)

  • 377 inmates (capacity 425)
  • 41 serving indeterminate sentences for public protection
  • Eight wings including one segregation unit
  • Over one third reported mental health problems
  • 43% reported alcohol problems on arrival
  • Nearly half reported drug problems on arrival