Leicester

PRISONERS

The prisoners described a ‘safe jail’ with ‘very little’ Spice and other illicit drugs (attributed to the security team and small jail size), with decent staff-prisoner relations (‘staff really do try to help’). The governor grades and CMs were called ‘approachable and positive’. They rated visits here as ‘the best’, kept informal by staff and comfortable furniture (‘not like being in prison’) and with regular family visits. They praised the peer advisors (like PID workers), diversity & equalities reps, Listeners, and first night workers, as well as the decent education & training ‘for such a small prison’. They liked the music project (including guitars, lessons, and a recording studio), the ‘great’ gym (available every day) and its staff, as well as getting two hot meals per day (‘unusual nowadays’, and greatly appreciated).

MANAGERS

The SMs and CMs said the ‘safe’ jail had a strong ‘#TeamLeicester’ community feel among all disciplines and levels, very welcoming and friendly staff, ‘incredibly resilient and dedicated’ Officers, and good relations with prisoners. They rated the dedicated 10-bed Lambert unit for challenging prisoners, strong community links with ‘lots’ of prisoner support from outside agencies, and regular outside speakers. They valued the Governor’s weekly ‘Off the Cuff’ newsletter (‘informal’, widely read, including news & ‘thank you’s), and the staff recognition scheme, as well as monthly full staff meetings, regular staff well-being days and staff family open days, and the strong support (from the No. 1 down) for all staff following an assault.

OFFICERS

The Officers agreed about safety (‘safer than other’ Cat Bs), the community-wide ‘#TeamLeicester’ feel, ‘excellent’ prisoner relations, education and training, music project, ‘Off the Cuff’, and support over assaults. Keywork was new but ‘a big positive’. They praised ‘very good’ and ‘out and about’ management at all levels, ‘very good’ staff recognition, and full staff daily briefings and monthly meetings.