The number of prisoners according to the length of their sentence was, on the 31 December 2017, as follows ¹:

• less than one month: 218 (0.3%)
• between one and three months: 1,076 (1.4%)
• between three and six months: 2,568 (3.4%)
• between six months and a year: 2,590 (3.5%)
• between one and three years: 14,166 (18.9%)
• between three and five years: 9,200 (12.3%)
• between five and ten years: 14,774 (19.8%)
• between 10 and 20  years: 7,927 (10.6%)
• 20  years or more: 713 (1%)
• life sentence: 7,247 (9.7%)
• other: 13,567 (18.1%)

The prison population has risen over the last 30 years. Notably, it has passed from 64,602 prisoners in 2000 to 82,773 in 2018, peaking at 86,634 in 2012. Nicola Padfield gives two reasons for this rise: sentences are more severe; and the possibility of sentencing adjustments are reduced.¹

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) was placed under the authority of the Ministry of Justice. It is in charge of the management and correct functioning of prison and probation services in both private and public prisons. On 1st April 2017, it replaced the National Offender Management Service (NOMS).

The enforcement of sentences is the responsibility of the prison service and its partners. The Youth Custody Service, which is linked to the prison service, is in charge of the enforcement of sentences for minors.¹

The detention regimes that are carried out are organised into categories. These categories take into account a person’s gender, age and perceived danger. It is the administration that defines each of these categories.

For men:

• Category A: Very high security measures. This regime applies to prisoners whose escape would present a grave danger to the population, police, or the state. This risk is evaluated using three levels: normal, high, and exceptional. Category A is subdivided into three groups: potential, temporary, and confirmed.
• Category B: High security measures aiming to make escape very difficult.
• Category C: Moderate security measures for prisoners who are unlikely to be placed in an open environment without attempting to escape.
• Category D: Minimal security measures for prisoners unlikely to attempt to escape when placed in an open environment.

For women, minors and young adults:

• Category A: Very high security measures. This regime applies to prisoners whose escape would present a grave danger to the population, police, or the state. Women are very rarely put in this category.
• Restricted Status: High security measures. This regime applies to every woman, minor or young adult, accused or convicted, whose escape would present a significant risk to the population.
• Closed Conditions: Moderate security measures. This regime applies to prisoners placed in a secure environment that does not require strict security measures.
• Open conditions: Minimal security measures for prisoners placed in an open environment.¹

The size of facilities varies significantly. The smallest, East Sutton Park, has 101 spaces. It consolidates an open unit for women and a unit for young offenders. The largest, Parc at Bridgend (Wales), has 1,699 spaces. It is managed by the private group G4S. It consolidates a category B unit for men and a young offenders unit.¹

Prison wardens follow a 12-week training programme. Ten of these weeks are devoted to initial training (Prison Officer Entry Level Training, POELT),

This training includes:

• the care of prisoners (first aid, food, hygiene, health and safety, regulations, etc.)
• search and security procedures
• de-escalation techniques (conflict management)

The first and last weeks of training are undertaken in prison. Training continues after the position has been taken, during the year that follows. Individuals assigned to high security prisons sometimes undergo specific two-week training.

The salary of prison officers is between £22,000 and £30,000 a year for 39-hour weeks. It takes into account cost of living where the work takes place. National Living Wage is about £15,880.

The staff have:

• Twenty-five days of annual leave (which rises to 30 after 10 years of service)
• paid leave for public holidays and one additional day off
• Public Service Pension Plan (up to 20% of their salary)
• service vouchers for childcare
• Cycle to Work programme (staff are given a bicycle and equipment to get to their place of work)
• travel loans…¹