What is Full Sutton Prison Like?
What is Full Sutton Prison Like?
Full Sutton, located in a serene village in East Yorkshire, conceals within its boundaries a narrative far removed from the tranquility of its scenic surroundings. While the village itself paints a picture of quaint houses and lush greens, it is home to the Category A Full Sutton prison, a maximum-security facility housing some of the United Kingdom’s most notorious criminals, including serial killers, gangsters, and terrorists. Most of these inmates are serving life sentences due to their heinous crimes.
What is Full Sutton Prison Like?
Background and Inmates
Full Sutton prison, situated near Pocklington, seems almost idyllic with its peaceful façade, often misleading the uninformed observer. Within its high-security confines, the prison has held criminals like Jeremy Bamber, convicted for the notorious White House Farm murders; Michael Stone, who attacked a family with a hammer; and Dennis Nilsen, known as the Muswell Hill Murderer, who murdered and dismembered at least 12 men between 1978 and 1983 in London. Another notable inmate is Charles Bronson, dubbed Britain’s toughest prisoner, notable more for his behavior inside prison than his crimes outside.
What is Full Sutton Prison Like?
Recent Developments and Concerns
The prison, post stringent COVID-19 lockdown rules, has experienced an increase in violence and a range of other challenges. The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) reported a rise in individual acts of violence between prisoners and between prisoners and staff. These incidents are attributed to the relaxation in the regime after COVID and the increase in interactions, rather than any inherent change in atmosphere or safety.
Additionally, there has been an increase in self-harm incidents. However, Full Sutton seeks to maintain a safe environment for both prisoners and staff. The IMB has assessed that the prisoners are treated fairly and humanely, and their health and wellbeing needs are generally met.
Concerns Regarding Management
Concerns have been raised over several administrative areas, including the effectiveness of the Supporting Transition and Enabling Progression (STEP) unit in breaking the cycle of segregation and a shortage of mental health nurses and psychologists at the prison. The drug testing regime at Full Sutton has also been a significant concern, with a low number of suspicion tests being carried out, leading to a decline in reporting numbers.
Overview
Full Sutton Prison stands as a testament to the juxtaposition between serenity and the harrowing tales of its inmates. Housing some of the most dangerous offenders in the UK’s history, it remains a subject of intrigue and speculation.