CHILL, LOUT
Pet therapy prisoners get a mood music ‘calming suite’
STRESSED lags have been given a calming suite to chill out in, complete with beanbags and mood music.
A sensory light show is also beamed on to the walls and ceiling to raise “serenity levels”.
Bosses of the privately-run jail say it helps cut prisoner stress – which in turn can mean less drug-taking and fewer fights.
A source said: “Everyone says it looks like a student houseshare. They just need a Bob Marley poster and Ikea uplighter to finish it.
“Mind you, it is doing the job… the prisoners are calmer than before it was put in.
“They’ll send them to Glastonbury next.”
CREATIVE
The suite is at HMP Doncaster in South Yorks. The 1,100-capacity jail has previously put on pet therapy sessions, where lags got to handle tarantulas, ferrets and rabbits.
Inmates can also do colouring-in and jigsaws in the jail’s craft area, and design and make soft toys in its “Enterprise City”.
A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons said the Serco-run prison had been “innovative and creative”.
It added: “Levels of violence reduced greatly since the last inspection. The environment was generally much calmer.”
John Hewitson, Serco’s director of the prison, said: “We are pleased the work done to improve safety and reduce violence has achieved significant success.
“Doncaster is a challenging prison and we know we have more to do.”
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