Calls for community hospital to be set up at HMP The Verne
It's come out of an annual report by the Independent Monitoring Board
A group of local volunteers are calling for a community hospital to be set up at HMP The Verne on Portland.
The Independent Monitoring Board's made the recommendation in their annual report.
They've said that having medical facilities on site would 'lessen reliance' on Dorset County Hospital.
It would also reduce the need for prison officers to escort inmates, and give them more time to work within the jail on preventing re-offending.
The Board says nearly 90 of the 600 prisoners at The Verne are aged 70 or over.
They've suggested that an 'appropriately resourced facility' should be created there, to meet 'a growing need for more investment in the social care of the growing number of elderly and vulnerable residents'.
The Chair of IMB The Verne, Dr Madeleine Webb, said:
“The Covid pandemic showed just how frail many of the elderly prisoners at The Verne are. A small hospital facility would enable much of the routine treatment they need to be undertaken there and reduce dependence on Dorset County Hospital.
"It would also reduce the time prison officers spend on escorts, enabling them to devote that time to programmes aimed at resettlement and reducing re-offending”.
Other report findings
The latest report for 2012-22 has also described The Verne as a 'well-run establishment'.
They've said prisoners are treated with 'decency, fairness and respect', with an 'intolerance of violence' and a 'supportive and caring community'.
The Board also highlighted the 'wide range of employment and educational activities' on offer to inmates.
They've also praised the 'considerable effort' to cater for 'varied cultural and dietary needs' too.