HM Prison New Hall explained

Prison Name:HMP New Hall
Location:Dial Wood, Flockton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire[1] [2] [3]
Classification:Female/Closed Category
Population:395[4]
Populationdate:March 2019
Managed By:HM Prison Services
Governor:Julia Spence

HMP New Hall. is a closed-category prison for female adults, juveniles, and young offenders. The prison is located in the village of Flockton (near Wakefield) in West Yorkshire, England. New Hall is operated by His Majesty's Prison Service.

History

In 1933, New Hall became the first prison to implement the then-experimental Open Prison system.[5] This was seen as a potential method for dealing with the combined problems of the rising numbers of prisoners and the lack of proper employment for them. At first, the prison was populated by prisoners from HMP Wakefield who were soon due to be released, but in 1961 the prison became a Senior Detention Centre for male young offenders.[6] It was during this time that, on some occasions, the 'short, sharp shock' regime was introduced. In 1987, the prison was assigned to serve a different population, and it was re-designated for a second time to become a women's prison.

In 1999, the BBC programme Jailbirds was filmed at New Hall, with director Chris Terrill being given unlimited access to the prison officers and inmates for a period of eight months.[7]

The prison today

Currently, New Hall is a closed female local prison which holds all categories of adult female prisoners. Aside from this, it caters to young offenders and juveniles who are on Detention and Training Orders. Accommodation at the prison is mainly in cells. There is a mother & baby unit, a health care centre, segregation unit, and some dormitories.[8] [9]

This prison provides full- and part-time education courses for prisoners in areas such as business administration, food hygiene, literacy, numeracy, information technology, NVQ Hairdressing, BTEC, and Art. New Hall has workshops where inmates can gain experience in assembly work, light textile work, catering, and gardening. Employment and careers advice by Jobcentre Plus is also available.[10] The prison's governor is Julia Spence.[11] The Ministry of Justice has received planning permission to install solar panels at the site in a bid to reduce the prison's carbon footprint.[12]

Notable inmates

Notable people held at the prison include:

References

  1. Web site: New Hall Prison and Young Offender Institute. GOV.UK. 14 May 2020.
  2. Web site: HMP & YOI New Hall. 13 November 2013. DoingTime, a guide to prison and probation. 14 May 2020.
  3. Web site: HMP New Hall. The Law Pages. 14 May 2020.
  4. Web site: Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP & YOI New Hall (25 February – 8 March 2019). justiceinspectorates.gov.uk. 19 August 2023. 5. March 2019.
  5. Web site: The Howard League New Hall. howardleague.org. 15 January 2018.
  6. Web site: Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP & YOI New Hall. justiceinspectorates.gov.uk. 15 January 2018. 7. August 2015.
  7. News: Devlin. Angela. The turn of the screws. 15 January 2018. The Independent. 16 March 1999.
  8. Web site: Prison inspection report 2008. reports.ofsted.gov.uk. 15 January 2018. 4. PDF. 5 November 2010.
  9. News: PORRIDGE - THE FEMALE WAY. 15 January 2018. Wakefield Express. 20 April 2001.
  10. News: Williams. Zoe. When prison works: inside New Hall, the women's prison where inmates are equals. 15 January 2018. The Guardian. 30 January 2015.
  11. Web site: New Hall Prison information. www.justice.gov.uk. 29 June 2019.
  12. News: Carney . James . 14 June 2021 . Solar panels to be installed at New Hall prison near Wakefield . Wakefield Express . 14 June 2021.
  13. News: Huddersfield woman tells of life on same prison wing as child killers Rose West and Sarah Barrass . 28 November 2021 . Yorkshire Live . 23 June 2021.
  14. News: 'Miss Hitler' beauty queen to be released from prison early . 29 April 2023 . The Independent . 13 October 2022.
  15. News: Hatfield Baby Rapist back in jail . 1 August 2022 . Welwyn and Hatfield Times . 12 March 2009.
  16. News: Pilling . Kim . 18 August 2023 . Lucy Letby always wanted to work with children, court heard . 18 August 2023 . Evening Standard .
  17. News: Frankie Smith's pitiful existence hiding from 'unforgiving' inmates alone in cell before 200-mile move . 3 June 2022 . Leeds Live . 12 March 2022.
  18. Web site: Mitra. Shraman. 31 July 2021. Sarah Williams and Katrina Walsh Now: Where Are Sadie Hartley's Killers Today? Update. 26 August 2021. The Cinemaholic.
  19. Web site: This is the reason Rose West has been moved to a West Yorkshire prison. Dan. Warburton. Emma. Davison. 21 July 2019. Yorkshire Live. 2 April 2020.

External links

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