GFSL delivers new conference facilities and reduces vandalism at HMP Swaleside

Swaleside is a men’s high security prison on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. It is part of the Sheppey Cluster, along with Elmley and Standford Hill.

GFSL’s Swaleside team has recently gained enormous support and recognition from HMPPS regarding the complete refurbishment of an abandoned building located in a prominent area outside the HMPPS office wing.

GFSL’s CRED (Clean Rehabilitative Enabling and Decent) team, which works with prisoners to improve prison environments, have transformed a derelict structure into an attractive new conference centre, which is equipped with facilities to host groups up to twelve or allow individual connectivity.

“This is the first delivery of a year’s worth of CRED projects which will employ prisoners in meaningful work” says Ian Morgan, GFSL Soft Services Site Manager. “We put prisoners’ valuable skills to good use, such as electrical works, painting and carpentry, which benefits all parties. This is important as prisoners increase their employability when their sentence is served.”

“We’ve also been allowed to pair up GFSL tradespeople with prisoners, so their experience can be passed on”, he added.

Helena Butler, GFSL Justice Solutions Manager added;

The results at HMP Swaleside have really demonstrated the effectiveness of collaborative working with HMPPS and prisoners.

CRED is being expanded with two further teams – one will be dedicated to reducing vandalism in accommodations while another will be working across the gardens at HMP Swaleside.

HMP Swaleside Governor Mark Icke commented

Having men in custody with the necessary skills presents a perfect opportunity for both the establishment and the men themselves to work together collaboratively to achieve the best results.

The men can use and improve their skills with guidance from GFSL colleagues and the establishment can keep driving forward the decency agenda to develop and improve the environment for both staff and residents.

He concluded by saying,

The first project that we completed together has been finished to a very high standard. The men feel that they have been invested in and as a result they care about their overall standard of work and the way that the project has been finished and this is reflected in the attention to detail.