Fall in number of prisoners continued in ‘difficult year’

The prison’s annual report showed a fall in average prisoner numbers to 86 across the year, compared to 91 in 2019 and 100 the previous year.

Its lowest numbers were recorded in May, in the middle of the first lockdown, when there were 75 inmates at Les Nicolles, which has 134 cells.

‘This would indicate a continuing downward trend on previous years that may be a result of a number of factors,’ said governor John De Carteret, pictured right.

‘It is impossible to ignore the impact of Covid-19 during 2020, but it is important to recognise that the average roll started to fall significantly from the middle of 2019.’

He added that it was a concern that the number of women and young offenders held at Les Nicolles remained static.

The prison is 30 years old and the report flagged that some internal systems and external fabric were showing signs of wear and tear, and would require reinvestment.

Plans to use prisoners for external repaint and repairs of the prison have been paused, but it is hoped that some could be used on the latter stages of the project.

Mr De Carteret, who was appointed governor in May 2020, said that the year had been a very challenging one for the prison, but it delivered services with only slight adjustments in day-to-day business. most of its priorities for the year were achieved.

‘Despite the obvious risks that Covid-19 represented to the closed community conditions of a custodial environment, we delivered our services with only slight adjustments to the day-to-day business,’ he said.

‘The prison provided a purposeful regime throughout the acute period of the pandemic, and this was assisted in no small part by the positive attitude adopted by the prisoners and their families.

‘The prison is extremely fortunate to have its own healthcare team on site that provide professional advice and guidance in tailoring our operations to meet the challenges that emerge. 2020 was undoubtedly a difficult year, but I want to extend my thanks to our staff and the prison community for the way in which they worked through it.’

Deputy Rob Prow, the president of Home Affairs, added: ‘The staff at the prison have done an excellent job in working through the difficulties the pandemic has presented.’

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Les Nicolles is a working prison and 95% of prisoners do work, including some over retirement age or on remand.

Prisoners at Les Nicolles in 2020 were aged between 16 and 77.

Fifty-six prisoners together earned 143 qualifications at various levels during 2020, ranging from yoga to the Open University. The most popular qualification was health and safety, and a new full-time education officer has introduced new courses, including art, customer service and beauty. Adding A-levels, vocational qualifications and apprenticeships is being explored.

Prisoners were involved in 125 disciplinary incidents during the year. The most common (49) were for offences involving possession of unauthorised items or more than would be authorised. The two most serious involved an assault on a prison officer, which saw the prisoner receive a longer jail term, and a prisoner-on-prisoner incident which was dealt with by internal procedures.

Incidents where prison officers used force – anything upwards of placing hands on a prisoner – fell markedly from 66 in 2019 to 37 in 2020. Thirteen were considered serious. There were no ‘use of force’ incidents during the three months of lockdown.

An insight into Guernsey Prison

• Les Nicolles is a working prison and 95% of prisoners do work, including some over retirement age or on remand.

• Prisoners at Les Nicolles in 2020 were aged between 16 and 77.

• Fifty-six prisoners together earned 143 qualifications at various levels during 2020, ranging from yoga to the Open University. The most popular qualification was health and safety, and a new full-time education officer has introduced new courses, including art, customer service and beauty. Adding A-levels, vocational qualifications and apprenticeships is being explored.

• Prisoners were involved in 125 disciplinary incidents during the year. The most common (49) were for offences involving possession of unauthorised items or more than would be authorised. The two most serious involved an assault on a prison officer, which saw the prisoner receive a longer jail term, and a prisoner-on-prisoner incident which was dealt with by internal procedures.

• Incidents where prison officers used force – anything upwards of placing hands on a prisoner – fell markedly from 66 in 2019 to 37 in 2020. Thirteen were considered serious. There were no ‘use of force’ incidents during the three months of lockdown.