HM Prison Thameside
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.webp) Aerial view of HM Prison Thameside. To the left a section of HM Prison Belmarsh | |
| |
| Location | Thamesmead, London, England |
|---|---|
| Security class | Adult Male/Category B |
| Population | 1232 (as of February 2017) |
| Opened | March 2012 |
| Managed by | Serco |
| Director | Dave Bamford[1] |
History
The 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.[2][3]
In January 2013, the Ministry of Justice announced that an additional houseblock would be constructed at Thameside Prison, increasing its capacity.[4]
In May 2013, a report by Her Majesty's 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.[5]
The prison today
The 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.[6]
References
- "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. 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
- "Action for Prisoners' Families: New prison HMP Thameside opens today". Prisonersfamilies.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
- Danny Shaw (2013-01-10). "BBC News - Seven prison closures in England announced". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
- "BBC News - Thameside prison criticised over violence and regime". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
- "Welcome to HMP Thameside". serco.com. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 2017-02-06.
