Improved outdoor facilities are on the way for Guernsey’s prisoners

Thursday 26 July 2018

Les Nicolles Prison has gone out to tender for a new “safe surface, that is suitable for walking and running in all weathers.”

The prison's Deputy Governor Louise Arkle said the current area was unsuitable and it had a duty to ensure prisoners had access to suitable facilities.

“Guernsey Prison is required to provide access to the open air for prisoners on a daily basis. The designated area is a secure grassed area that can get waterlogged in winter and provides a very dry and uneven surface during the summer months resulting in the area not being used. The prison is currently in the tendering process to provide a width of all-weather covering around the perimeter of the grassed area to ensure we meet our legal obligations of providing adequate facilities.”

Pictured: The latest data on population figures from Les Nicolles Prison

Guernsey's only prison had 100 inmates as of 20 July, 2018. Most of those had been sentenced - with 18 serving more than seven years, with another 22 prisoners serving more than four years in custody.

The prison's stated aims are to meet a series of key values: quality, integrity, innovation, efficiency and professionalism. Its vision includes aims to ensure public protection and to commit to reducing re-offending while its mission is to provide prisoners with a safe and secure environment that enables them to "address the causes of offending behaviour and to provide them with values, skills and experience to take a positive role in the community upon release."