HM Prison Highpoint South

HMP Highpoint

Location	Governor	Nigel Smith
Website	Highpoint South at justice.gov.uk

HM Prison Highpoint South (formerly called Highpoint prison) is a

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History

The site of the prison opened in 1938 as an RAF base. On its closure in 1970, the RAF base was briefly converted into a transit camp for Ugandan refugees.

In 1977, Highpoint Prison was opened, initially providing cells for male prisoners only, having been built by the prisoners themselves. Using prison labour instead of outside contractors saved £2 million on the overall cost of construction.

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In February 2003 it emerged that two women drug therapy workers were ordered out of the prison after they were confronted with allegations that they had had inappropriate relationships with two male prisoners. The workers employer

In May 2005 the

A further report by the Independent Monitoring Board in May 2007 described accommodation at the prison as unfit for purpose. The report also criticised the lack of training opportunities for inmates and low morale among staff at the prison.[4]

In 2011, the prison was renamed Highpoint South Prison, while Edmunds Hill was renamed Highpoint North Prison.

The prison today

Highpoint South Prison holds convicted adult Category C male prisoners, serving up to and including

for murderers. Accommodation at the prison comprises ten living units, all of which are purpose-built with integral sanitation, in cell electricity and in cell television.

Prisoners are employed within a range of workshops, offending behaviour courses, full-time education classes and resettlement workshops. Workshops include

.

A staffed visits centre opens at Highpoint South at lunch time for refreshments and facilities. Within the prison's Visits Hall tea, coffee and soft drinks are available. There is also a Prison Visitor Centre which is operated by the

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Notable inmates

Former

• Blake Fielder-Civil
• Tony Martin
• George Michael
• Lester Piggott

References

External links

• Ministry of Justice pages on Highpoint South
• HMP Highpoint - HM Inspectorate of Prisons Reports

52°08′16″N 0°30′50″E / 52.13778°N 0.51389°E / 52.13778; 0.51389