In a new blog, Angus Jones, who led HMIP’s recent inspection of HMP Rye Hill, explains how the prison has embedded a genuine rehabilitative culture – and has developed ‘some of the most innovative practice I have seen in recent years’. 

Angus explains the prison is able to really focus on getting prisoners to education or work and tackle their offending behaviour needs because they have ‘established a well-ordered, respectful community to which prisoners and staff were empowered to contribute.’ 

He goes on to say: ‘I was struck by the number of professionally organised peer support schemes and the scale of the community events programme. […] Almost every day there were events for prisoners to attend in addition to education or work.’

Strong leadership is identified as a critical factor in Rye Hill’s success. 

Angus observed the Director, Lee Davies, like his predecessor, had a clear understanding of the concerns of prisoners and staff. For example, previously held perceptions of poor safety amongst older prisoners were addressed through a series of forums with follow-up action taken, such as amending the daily routine. This made Rye Hill one of the safest closed prisons by further reducing violence which was already low.

Angus also acknowledges that Lee is ‘exceptionally accessible’ and managers of all grades in the prison followed his lead. This had resulted in confident frontline staff who were ‘providing a foundation for good staff-prisoner relationships’, despite 40% being in their role for less than a year. 

Angus ends by saying Rye Hill has ‘focused on the basics and setting and enforcing high standards across the site.’