'Excellent work' at women's prison, inspectors say

HMP Send, re-purposed to hold women in 1998, had its last inspection in 2021

A women's prison in Surrey has been praised by inspectors for its work rehabilitating inmates.

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, said the "ethos" of HMP Send, near Woking, was "overwhelmingly rehabilitative".

He also said and that the facility, which was repurposed to hold women in 1998, had an excellent range of interventions and therapeutic work.

Minister for prisons, probation and reducing reoffending, James Timpson, said he is "delighted" that HMP Send has been recognised.

At the time of inspection in March and April the prison had 247 prisoners, with 80% serving sentences of over four years.

Mr Taylor said: "[HMP] Send is a very good prison, with an ambitious, visible Governor who leads from the front."

He added: "There is an energy and sense of purpose at Send and staff should be congratulated on the excellent work they are doing to support the rehabilitation of women there."

Inspectors found a positive learning culture which ensured that women were engaged in work and education based on their needs, including what they might experience outside prison.

Proactive offender management was also identified as a priority within the prison, with contact between prison offender managers (POMs) and women planned and regular.

Prisoners were offered a safe and respectful environment in good living conditions, which included new accommodation units, the inspectors' report found.

However some areas for improvement were identified.

The level of support available for non-English speakers was limited, while some staff employed poor practices when using force against prisoners, the inspectors said.

Mr Timpson added: "Staff there [at HMP Send] have shown what can be achieved in prison by supporting women to get out of a cycle of crime so we cut reoffending and fewer people become victims in the future."

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