Leeds prison is a ‘shining example’, says report

The Armley prison was given a positive report after an announced visit by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick.

Mr Hardwick said: “There appears to be much that the rest of the prison service can learn from the experience of HMP Leeds. This experience should be evaluated in more depth and the lessons applied to the government’s wider plans for rehabilitation.”

Built in 1847, the prison has “certified normal accommodation” for 826 men but actually holds 1,121.

Mr Hardwick said the jail faced the typical challenges of a Victorian, inner-city prison.

“It was chronically overcrowded, the physical condition of some parts of the prison was poor and it held a challenging and needy population,” he said.

But he added that there were good relationships between staff and inmates, which made the prison safe.

Prisoners spent a lot of time out of their cell and took part in activities which meant they were less likely to reoffend in the future.

Mr Hardwick was critical of the protection given to prisoners who were vulnerable because of their crime and said the quality and quantity of food inmates were served was poor.

Michael Spurr, chief executive officer of the National Offender Management Service, said: “The challenges in running an inner-city local prison of this size are considerable but Leeds has developed a safe, positive and supportive environment focused on rehabilitation which is a model we are looking to replicate across the prison service.”