Britain’s First ‘Mega Jail’ Has Prison Rules Like No Other

The UK's first-ever 'mega-jail' has a whole load of prison rules that really sets the institution apart from the others.

Based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, HMP Five Wells is one of four of the UK's eco-friendly prisons and first caused some chatter following their announcement that they would be the first-ever incarceration unit to remove the bars off of their single-pane prison cell windows.

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While the first inmate arrived to the prison only last month, the number of inhabitants at this new 'prison of the future' has now risen to 137 people and John McLaughlin, the governor, is already on a first-name basis with all of them.

All about making the transition easier from prison to life outside, the staff at HMP Five Wells are making an active effort to adjust the previous model of the prison experience.

In referring to inmates as 'residents' and their subsequent cells as 'rooms', the idea is that this 'soft touch' approach normalises an otherwise socially alienating experience that can, in turn, help reduce the numbers of repeat crime and stop the cycle in its tracks.

Inmates with families on the outside will be allowed to help their children with schoolwork in a dedicated family section that includes a homework club and playground, while video calls will be able to allow them to participate in events such as parents evenings, as per the BBC.

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The 1,700-capacity mega-prison also offers a domestic set of programmes and has 24 workshops, including a barber, bike repair shop, car maintenance, coding, plumbing and printing workshops.

There's even 'pet therapy' at the prison in which inmates can take part in pet therapy sessions with dogs.

However, McLaughlin has faced some backlash over his new prison policy, namely over the inmates' new mode of address being changed to 'residents'.

"I want a prison that encourages and empowers men to be the best person they can possibly be, and that’s a small step towards that. Not referring to them as inmates or prisoners I think works very well. And it sets the tone for the culture and the ethos of the prison I’m trying to establish," he explained according to The Times.

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"People like to feel valued — that’s my view.

"And everyone who is incarcerated here will be released at some point, and I want them to feel ready for custody to the community, and part of that is feeling that they are worth something, they have something to offer, something to give back," he added.

Whether it's a large range of recreational activities to get involved in, en-suite cells or pet therapy - it's clear that this prison is one of the first of its kind.