John Mclaughlin, 54, joined G4S as a prison custody officer in 1995, rising to the position of director – the private sector equivalent of Prison Governor - in 2003. For the last nine years he has been director at HMP Altcourse, the male Category B Local prison in Liverpool. John is expected to start at Oakwood in autumn and G4S will begin the recruitment process for his replacement at HMP Altcourse in the coming weeks.

 
Mclaughlin assumes control for the operation of HMP Oakwood, the Category C, 1605-place prison which opened in April 2012, later this year following the announcement of the retirement of the incumbent director Steve Holland. Steve will be retiring after more than 20 years in custodial services.

Jerry Petherick, Managing Director of G4S Custodial and Detention Services said:

“I would like to thank Steve Holland for the fantastic work he has done for G4S at HMP Oakwood. Opening a new prison – let alone the largest in the UK prison estate – is no mean feat, and Steve has managed to establish an efficient, safe regime, while helping the new team settle in effectively. He leaves G4S with our warmest wishes.

“I am delighted that John Mclaughlin has agreed to take over the reins at Oakwood. John brings enormous experience from his time at Altcourse, where he pioneered a number of innovations – particularly with industries – and I am confident he will be keen to develop these at Oakwood.”

John Mclaughlin said:

“I have been in charge at HMP Altcourse for over nine years and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Altcourse has enjoyed lots of successes during that period and I would like to thank the whole team there for their contribution and support. As a new establishment, HMP Oakwood presents many exciting challenges. I am extremely grateful to Steve Holland and his team for laying such strong foundations there and I am looking forward to working together with the staff to realise Steve’s ambition of making Oakwood the leading prison in the country.”