Forest Bank

MANAGERS

Senior managers said ‘a strong culture’ of respect and rehabilitation forged a staff-prisoner rapport that ‘visitors often commented on’. They highlighted staff communication (including weekly manager newsletters cascaded via ‘huddle’ team briefings, quarterly full staff meetings, and monthly Director-led ‘People First’ meetings), and a ‘bright ideas’ scheme. Staff recognition (including peer-voted ‘Star’ & ‘Team’ of the Month, and ‘on the spot’ thank you cards used by staff & prisoners and entered in prize draws) was emphasised, as were focus groups and surveys of prisoners & families. ‘Excellent’ education & training had a ‘strong’ vocational focus with qualifications ‘attached to all jobs’ and links to employers. They rated the range of OBPs, the prison’s cleanliness & furnishings etc, and in-cell phones & Kiosks. They also emphasised family involvement in ‘Celebration of Achievement’ events, and ACCT and challenging prisoner reviews. The weekly reviewed, multi-disciplinary action plans for the 10 most challenging prisoners were a ‘real positive’. They also praised the gym and its links to local sports teams, and the Prison Council, wing reps, and monthly meetings with Head of Residence.

PRISONERS

The prisoners agreed with managers about the notable staff-prisoner rapport, prisoner consultation, phones & Kiosks, and OBPs (and ‘rehabilitation support generally’). They praised family support and the ‘very good’ visits, including family days and a creche. The drug services and recovery wing were ‘fantastic’ and ‘brilliant’.

OFFICERS

The Officers praised the No. 1 as ‘very visible’ & ‘approachable’, and also valued staff communication & recognition (including ‘on the spot’ thank you cards), the ‘good quality’ and ‘wide range’ of OBPs, education & vocational training, and the ‘excellent’ drug services and recovery wing. They also liked the local ‘strengths based’ recruitment approach, which they felt had led to better and ‘more resilient’ staff coming on board.