Maidstone Prison to re-roll
Exclusive by Angela Cole
acole@thekmgroup.co.uk
Maidstone Prison is to become solely responsible for Foreign
Nationals by this summer, it has been announced.
The changes are partly as a result of the planned closure of
Canterbury Prison and Bullwood Hall Prison in Essex.
The jail in County Road was re-rolled as a specialist sex offender
establishment with Foreign Nationals in 2009.
Governor Andy Bell made the announcement to staff yesterday
(Thursday)January 31. He said: “It is our experience in dealing
with Foreign Nationals, our strong working relationship with the UK
Border Agency and our ability to deliver that has led to the
increase in Foreign National offender numbers. There may be changes
to staff roles but I am sure we will work together over the coming
months to make this transition as smooth as possible.”
The Category C prison has a capacity of 600 inmates, of which
currently around 40% are Foreign Nationals.
A dedicated project sponsor from the National Offender Management
Service (NOMS) has been appointed who will support staff and
managers during the transition, which will include moving sex
offenders to other establishments.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "HMS Maidstone is to
change roll... building on the existing good work that already
takes place with this group of offenders."
31/01/13
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