Exeter

PRISONERS

The prisoners said most staff were ‘very good’, many ‘brilliant’, and the gym staff ‘fantastic’. In-cell phones ‘transformed things’, helped family relations and reduced arguments on the wings. They liked standard two-hour visits and full day child-centred visits. The AppsApp is short for application – the means by which prisoners can make requests (e.g. to see the doctor) Rep was ‘very helpful’ in logging applications and ‘sign-posting’ prisoners. They valued ‘buddies’ peer supporters for those with health & social care needs, and the Zero Tolerance Reps and Time Wise programme were felt to be helpful in addressing challenging behaviour.

STAFF

The staff noted ‘excellent team work’ in a fully staffed jail (with safety ‘much improved’), where new staff were welcomed and supported. The SMTSenior Management Team won praise as ‘hardworking’, ‘effective’, ‘very visible’, ‘supportive’, and for giving thanks where due (‘a simple thing which means a lot’). SOsSupervisory Officers – see also “Band 3 / Band 4” Band 3 / Band 4 – Prison Officer grades – Band 3 is the main grade for Officers, Band 4 officers are also known as “supervisory Officers were similarly valued for their supportiveness and regularly giving praise. The morning full staff briefing was ‘excellent’, and ‘effective’ annual team-building days highly valued, as was the ‘employee of the month’ scheme. They also rated the ‘excellent’ ‘rapid response’ to incidents, and the ‘very good’ KeyworkerA national scheme under which Prison Officers are given training and time to work one-to-one with around six prisoners, aimed at supporting their management and rehabilitation scheme.

MANAGERS

Managers highlighted the approach to tackling disruptive behaviour, including the ‘Zero Tolerance’ programme & ‘Time Wise’ course, and, through links with local police and the CPSCrown Prosecution Service, ensuring crimes committed in jail are prosecuted. KeyworkA national scheme under which Prison Officers are given training and time to work one-to-one with around six prisoners, aimed at supporting their management and rehabilitation was ‘fantastic’ and in-cell phones a ‘real boon’. They rated the support from prisoner ‘buddies’ and staff, for those with complex needs, and praised the palliative care suite and end-of-life family support. The gym, and staff & prisoner-led sessions for local children with learning disabilities, were also praised, as was the ‘excellent’ support provided by local organisations in helping prisoners find housing and employment on release. Annual open days for staff families were valued for helping reduce family members’ anxiety about their loved ones.