Women's prison provides safe and secure environment, report claims
A women's prison near the Shropshire border provides a safe and secure environment for its inmates, an inspection has found.
HMP Drake Hall in Eccleshall, near Newport, has a capacity of 315 and prisoners are accommodated in 15 houses, each with around 20 rooms.
The annual report by the Ministry of Justice's Independent Monitoring Board describes a number of areas of good practice and suggests possible areas for improvement.
In the report it states: "Drake Hall is a closed category prison and, as befits this status, successfully manages some difficult prisoners.
"The board is satisfied the prison does this humanely, decently and well, despite the fact the open environment within its outer fence can sometimes make it difficult.
"Congratulations must be extended to the education department, where there has been substantial improvement in learner expectation and standards of performance.
"Input from all staff, learners and prison partners has resulted in sustained improvement, with the curriculum developing in partnership to meet the needs of the learners, employers and the local community."
But it goes on to add the lack of a female doctor needs to be addressed straight away.
"The board considers a female doctor on-site regularly is essential for the well-being of the women. It was agreed earlier in 2014 that a female GP would hold a weekly clinic.
"Regrettably, this has not materialised. The board recognises the current provision of a female GP occasionally is an improvement on previous years, and waiting times have reduced. Overall, the board continues to believe Drake Hall provides a safe and secure environment for prisoners where they are treated with humanity and decency."
A new unit at the prison was opened by Justice Minister Simon Hughes last month.
The new facility can house up to 25 offenders in open conditions. It prepares them for release and also ensures links to their children are maintained during their sentence.
