Preston

DEPUTY GOVERNOR

The Dep said ‘Proud Preston’ was ‘safe’ with ‘good’ staff-prisoner relations, and Keywork had ‘made a big difference’ to relationships and safety. Prisoner consultation, including monthly rep meetings with functional heads, and quarterly meetings with the No. 1, was ‘extensive and important’. Staff consultation and communications were a strong focus too – including monthly ‘Governor and Dep’ forums and quarterly full staff meetings.

OFFICERS

The Officers had ‘real pride’ in Preston and noted strong camaraderie among them. Relations with prisoners were good too. The prison was described as ‘safe’, with ‘good control and discipline’. They said photocopying all mail and restrictions on personal clothing kept drug levels (especially NPS) low. The management of especially difficult or challenging prisoners, and support for those at risk of self-harm, were seen as real strengths, as was support for veterans.

PRISONERS

The prisoners called Preston ‘very safe’ and ‘well run’. They noted ‘lots of very good’ staff who ‘are straight with you’. They said staff were ‘on top of things’ in an ‘Officer run jail’, with strong security and intelligence, while relations with staff were positive too. Keywork was ‘great’ (‘everyone thinks so’), and consultation was strong. The Listeners and PIDS were ‘very good’ and ‘well used’, while the drug recovery unit (‘rare’ in Cat B locals, they said) was a positive too.

MANAGERS

The CMs agreed it was a ‘safe’ jail run by ‘firm but fair’ staff ‘who do care’, but were also ‘in charge’ and confident in use of force where required. Relations with prisoners were good, and Keywork had made a real difference. Pride in the jail was strong as were relations between staff, who ‘looked after each other’ and detached duty staff ‘love it here’.