HM Prison Cookham Wood: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description| | {{Short description|Category C prison in Kent, England}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox prison | {{Infobox prison | ||
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| coordinates = | | coordinates = | ||
| status = | | status = | ||
| classification = [[Prisoner security categories in the United Kingdom| | | classification = [[Prisoner security categories in the United Kingdom|Category C]] | ||
| capacity = | | capacity = | ||
| population = 188 | | population = 188 | ||
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| opened = {{Start date and age|1978}} | | opened = {{Start date and age|1978}} | ||
| closed = | | closed = | ||
| former_name = | | former_name = Borstal | ||
| managed_by = [[Her Majesty's Prison Service|HM Prison Services]] | | managed_by = [[Her Majesty's Prison Service|HM Prison Services]] | ||
| governor = Paul Crossey | | governor = Paul Crossey | ||
| website = {{HM prison|cookham-wood|Cookham Wood}} | | website = {{HM prison|cookham-wood|Cookham Wood}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''HM Prison Cookham Wood''' is | '''HM Prison Cookham Wood''' is an adult Category C prison, using the premises of the original borstal or [[Young Offenders Institution]] in the village of [[Borstal, Rochester|Borstal]] (near [[Rochester, Kent]]) in [[England]]. The prison is operated by [[HM Prison and Probation Service|His Majesty's Prison and probation Service]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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In 1998 the prison started accepting female juvenile offenders (aged 12–14), and was refurbished for that purpose. The costs involved with the refurbishment and the new facilities provided at the prison led to the media branding Cookham Wood "Britain's most controversial jail".{{cn|date=April 2022}} | In 1998 the prison started accepting female juvenile offenders (aged 12–14), and was refurbished for that purpose. The costs involved with the refurbishment and the new facilities provided at the prison led to the media branding Cookham Wood "Britain's most controversial jail".{{cn|date=April 2022}} | ||
In a 2003 report the [[Prison Reform Trust]] criticised Cookham Wood for being one of the most overcrowded women's prison in the UK. The report also highlighted serious drug misuse amongst inmates at the prison.<ref>{{cite web|url= | In a 2003 report the [[Prison Reform Trust]] criticised Cookham Wood for being one of the most overcrowded women's prison in the UK. The report also highlighted serious drug misuse amongst inmates at the prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2896729.stm |title=UK | England | Crowded jail 'has drug problem' |publisher=BBC News |date=2003-03-28 |access-date=2013-04-12}}</ref> However, a 2005 report by [[Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons|His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons]] commended the prison for improving standards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4459518.stm |title=UK | England | Kent | Prison shows 'marked improvement' |publisher=BBC News |date=2005-11-22 |access-date=2013-04-12}}</ref> | ||
In 2007 the Prison Service announced that Cookham Wood would be converted to accept male young offenders. This was due to increased demand for places in men's prisons in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url= | In 2007 the Prison Service announced that Cookham Wood would be converted to accept male young offenders. This was due to increased demand for places in men's prisons in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/6919112.stm |title=UK | England | Kent | Jail to become secure youth unit |publisher=BBC News |date=2007-07-27 |access-date=2013-04-12}}</ref> Cookham Wood formally started taking male prisoners during 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/aug/05/inspector-criticises-cookham-wood-prison|title = Youths found hiding in cells at Cookham Wood, says prisons inspector|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 4 August 2009}}</ref> | ||
==The prison today== | ==The prison today== | ||
Cookham Wood is a | Cookham Wood is a Category C prison. Accommodation consists of single occupancy cells | ||
All | All prisoners have access to showers, and 45 minutes outside in the open air every day. The prison operates a resettlement programme for people coming to the end of their sentences, and has links to community groups and employers. | ||
In February 2014, the UK prison watchdog - the Independent Monitoring Boards - announced that they had serious concerns over the safety and decency for children at | In February 2014, the UK prison watchdog - the Independent Monitoring Boards - announced that they had serious concerns over the safety and decency for children at HMYoung Offenders Institution Cookham Wood. In 2024 it was repurposed as a Category C adult prison, initially to accommodate those jailed arising from the [[2024 United Kingdom riots]].<ref>https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2024-08-06/kent-prison-repurposed-to-house-expected-influx-of-riot-criminals {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> | ||
==Notable former inmates== | ==Notable former inmates== | ||
Latest revision as of 15:53, 18 November 2025
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". HM Prison Cookham Wood is an adult Category C prison, using the premises of the original borstal or Young Offenders Institution in the village of Borstal (near Rochester, Kent) in England. The prison is operated by His Majesty's Prison and probation Service.
History
The prison was built in 1978, next to HMP Rochester and was named Cookham Wood Young Offenders Institution. The new prison was originally for young men, but its use was changed to meet the growing need for secure female accommodation at the time.
In 1998 the prison started accepting female juvenile offenders (aged 12–14), and was refurbished for that purpose. The costs involved with the refurbishment and the new facilities provided at the prison led to the media branding Cookham Wood "Britain's most controversial jail".Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In a 2003 report the Prison Reform Trust criticised Cookham Wood for being one of the most overcrowded women's prison in the UK. The report also highlighted serious drug misuse amongst inmates at the prison.[1] However, a 2005 report by His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons commended the prison for improving standards.[2]
In 2007 the Prison Service announced that Cookham Wood would be converted to accept male young offenders. This was due to increased demand for places in men's prisons in the UK.[3] Cookham Wood formally started taking male prisoners during 2008.[4]
The prison today
Cookham Wood is a Category C prison. Accommodation consists of single occupancy cells
All prisoners have access to showers, and 45 minutes outside in the open air every day. The prison operates a resettlement programme for people coming to the end of their sentences, and has links to community groups and employers.
In February 2014, the UK prison watchdog - the Independent Monitoring Boards - announced that they had serious concerns over the safety and decency for children at HMYoung Offenders Institution Cookham Wood. In 2024 it was repurposed as a Category C adult prison, initially to accommodate those jailed arising from the 2024 United Kingdom riots.[5]
Notable former inmates
References
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- ↑ https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2024-08-06/kent-prison-repurposed-to-house-expected-influx-of-riot-criminals Template:Bare URL inline
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External links
- Ministry of Justice pages on Cookham Wood Template:Webarchive
- HMYOI Cookham Wood - HM Inspectorate of Prisons Reports
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Template:Prisons in South East England Template:Women's prisons in England