HMP Buckley Hall

Buckley Hall was, at its reopening, the fourth contracted out prison in the UK, and the first privately managed Cat C establishment holding medium security prisoners. Group 4 Prison Services operated it but after a tendering process in June 2000 the establishment reverted to Prison Service control. The establishment is managed under a Service Level Agreement monitored by the Compliance Monitor, reporting to both the Regional Offender Manager, CCU and the Area Manager. In November 2001 it was announced that the prison would re-role to a closed female training prison. The first female prisoners arrived in April 2002. As a result of population pressures in the male estate, it was decided to re-role the establishment back to a male category C prison in September 2005. The male prisoners began arriving on December 5th 2005.

Governor: Mick Regan

Accommodation: 3 units (2 of 66, 1 of 50). Care and Separation Unit for 10. No VPU. There is full integral sanitation, in-cell TV. Pin phones available for use at agreed times. Pool, table football and table tennis facilities, board games and video library are available. No cookers, homemade audiocassettes, or caged birds allowed.

Reception criteria: Sentenced male category C prisoners, primarily from the Manchester area, who are willing to address offending behaviour and engage in programmes with a view to progression to category D status / HDC. Due to the residential units being on a 1:15 incline; we are unable to accept prisoners with mobility or heart problems. Prisoners must be within 9 months of their Parole Eligibility Date.

Operational capacity: 385 as of 7th December 2005