A SOUTH Derbyshire prison has been told to improve its programme for resettling women prisoners back in the community.
Chief Inspector of prisons, Nick Hardwick, made the recommendation following an unannounced inspection to HMP Foston Hall.
The visit focused on progress made in implementing recommendations from a visit in 2009.
The latest report found most of the resettlement problems remained, leadership was weak, and strategic thinking about prisoner’s resettlement needs was underdeveloped.
The report also said induction interviews didn’t take place in private and self-harm monitoring procedures were underdeveloped.
But inspectors praised the prison for improving induction arrangement, substance misuse services, and the prison environment remained ‘generally good’.
Mr Hardwick said ‘sufficient progress had been made’ in some areas.
“But more needed to be done to ensure that women were able to benefit from resettlement opportunities,” he said.
Michael Spurr, chief executive officer of the national offender management service said: ““The Governor and staff are working to further improve resettlement and purposeful activity.”
