La Moye prisoners 'need more skills training'

UK inspectors have expressed concerns about decreases of work and education facilities for prisoners at La Moye in Jersey.

The chief inspector of prisons has published a report into conditions which was otherwise positive.

Inspector Charlie Taylor said that, overall, La Moye was well led and treated prisoners well. However, he added that, since the previous inspection in 2017, education and work provision had "collapsed".

The Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Mary Le Hegarat, said she "recognised" the concerns raised in the report and that improvements were being made.

Inspector Taylor's last visit report said the facility was safe and respectful, something which he said was still the case.

But, in 2017, he drew attention to a significant deterioration in the activities available to prisoners.

That included the different types of work on offer, and opportunities for education.

In his latest report, he said that had worsened to the point that it "has almost collapsed".

He said: "There is an urgent need to rebuild a regime that usefully occupies and incentivises prisoners to behave well and engage whilst in custody... and provides prisoners with the skills and qualifications that will give them the best chance of a successful release."

In response to the new report, Le Hegarat said there was "much to commend" at La Moye, and that work was under way to improve the work and education offering.

She said: "Since the inspection, managers plan to, or already have, restarted a horticulture course, and introduced computer literacy and industrial cleaning courses with recognised qualifications.

"We are exploring further opportunities for working closely with Highlands College to deliver adult education in the prison. This will help us expand the scope of educational courses available to prisoners.

"A full review of the education provision is also under way. A new curriculum has been developed and is being implemented".

La Moye has a capacity for up to 200 prisoners, but housed an average of 140, the government said on its website.