HM Prison Thameside is a Category B men's private prison in the Thamesmead area of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, south-east London, England. Thameside Prison is operated by Serco and is situated next to Belmarsh and Isis prisons.
.jpg) Aerial view of HM Prison Thameside. To the left a section of HM Prison Belmarsh | |
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| Location | Thamesmead, London, England |
|---|---|
| Security class | Adult Male/Category B |
| Population | 1,232 (as of February 2017) |
| Opened | March 2012 |
| Managed by | Serco[1] |
| Director | Dave Bamford[2] |
History
editThe prison was designed and constructed by Serco and opened on 30 March 2012, becoming fully operational in Autumn 2012, with a capacity of 900. It holds prisoners from courts previously served by Brixton Prison and other prisons in London.[3][4]
In January 2013, the Ministry of Justice announced that an additional houseblock would be constructed at Thameside Prison, increasing its capacity.[5]
In May 2013, a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons was critical of the levels of violence at the prison and its restricted regime. The report found that there was a high level of assaults and use of force, while 60% of prisoners were locked up during the working day, and some inmates spent 23 hours a day in their cells. However, the report also praised the quality of accommodation throughout the prison.[6]
The prison today
editThe regime at Thameside Prison combines work, education, vocational training, accredited offending behaviour programmes, and prisoner health and appropriate interventions. It is a Local category B establishment that can currently hold 1232 convicted and remand male prisoners.
The prison has a baseline Certificate of Normal Accommodation of 932, and an in-use Operational Capacity of 1232.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Thameside Prison". 7 January 2022.
- ^ "Serco appoints new Prison Director at HMP Thameside". Serco (Press release). 15 June 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "Two New Private Sector Prisons To Open | UK Police News". Police Oracle. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ "Action for Prisoners' Families: New prison HMP Thameside opens today". Prisonersfamilies.org.uk. Archived from the original on 11 April 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ Danny Shaw (10 January 2013). "BBC News - Seven prison closures in England announced". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- ^ "BBC News - Thameside prison criticised over violence and regime". Bbc.co.uk. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- ^ "Welcome to HMP Thameside". serco.com. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2017.