Women in prison given free rein to decorate cells

INMATES at a women’s prison are allowed to choose the colour scheme for their cells and have curtains provided by fashion students, a report has found.

Prisoners at the 330-capacity HMP Downview in Surrey are allowed to make their own curtains, or have them made by fashion students.

A report from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons said that women at the prison could choose the colour their cells were painted in the 210-cell C Wing, which consists of single cells.

It stated: “When women moved to C wing, where they remained for most of their time at Downview, they could ask for their cells to be painted in a colour of their choice, which helped personalise the cells. Each cell had a lockable cabinet and privacy keys were generally provided. Because of a shortage of curtains women could make their own. The London College of Fashion had

‘They could ask for their cells to be painted in a colour of their choice, which helped personalise the cells’

agreed to help meet the demand for curtains.”

Prisoners have a Women’s Institute branch. The jail supports inmates to set up businesses, with one running a cakemaking business. Inmates are offered a range of gym classes, including Zumba, and are given “distraction packs” with puzzles, dot-to-dot, and word searches, to “keep them occupied”.

The report states: “The safer custody team had developed some innovative ways of helping women stay occupied.”

A jail source said: “It’s like something from that TV show Changing Rooms – although if it helps prisoners keep their cells neat and tidy then I’m all for it.”

The report also reveals how some prisoners are getting drunk on alcoholbased hand sanitiser.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “The governor and his staff at HMP Downview have worked hard to provide a safe, clean and decent environment for the offenders in their care. HMP Downview encourages responsible behaviour amongst prisoners and as part of this, some prisoners have the option to personalise their cell.”