HM Prison Kirklevington Grange

HMP Kirklevington Grange

The rear of Kirklevington Grange
Location	Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
Coordinates	54°29′42″N1°20′23″W / 54.49500°N 1.33972°W / 54.49500; -1.33972
Security class	Adult Male/Category D [1]
Capacity	303 [1]
Population	273 [1] (as of January 2015 [1] )
Opened	1962 (as a junior detention centre) 1992 (as an adult resettlement prison) [1]
Managed by	HM Prison Services
Governor	Phil Husband OBE
Website	Kirklevington Grange at justice.gov.uk

HM Prison Kirklevington Grange is a Category D men's prison, located in the village of Kirklevington (near Yarm), in North Yorkshire, England. ^[1] The prison is operated by His Majesty's Prison Service.

History

Kirklevington Grange Prison was originally opened in 1962 as a junior detention centre. ^[1] In 1988 it became a young offender institution. ^[1] It closed in 1992, and in October of that year reopened as a resettlement prison for adult male offenders nearing the end of their incarceration. ^[1] As such it is an open prison housing Category D prisoners.

In March 2004 the Independent Monitoring Board issued a report on Kirklevington Grange praising the fair and respectful atmosphere at the prison, despite a 22% rise in the number of inmates. The Board also commended the good links between the prison and the local population and the access to job centres for the prisoners. ^[2]

In January 2006 an inspection report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons praised Kirklevington Grange for its excellent resettlement work. The report also praised the positive attitude amongst staff at the prison. However the report recommended that the quality and range of work opportunities for prisoners should be improved at the jail. ^[3]

A 2011 report following inspection of the prison found that it was a safe environment with a high standard achieved in diversity work, health care and catering. ^[4] At that time, 47 prisoners were classified as Category C, with 231 in Category D, with the prison being a venue for assessment as to whether Category C inmates could be progressed to the more liberal Category D regime. ^[5] By 2015 all inmates were Category D. ^[1]

In January 2014 a prisoner absconded from the prison; ^[6] he was arrested the following day in nearby Eaglescliffe. ^[7]

In May 2024, the Ministry of Justice announced plans to add a further 152 places at Kirklevington Grange. ^[8]

The prison today

Kirklevington Grange is a resettlement prison for Category D adult male offenders nearing the end of their sentences, who are intending to settle in the north-east of England. Accommodation at the prison comprises single rooms with fitted storage cupboards. All rooms have privacy locks, having their own key. ^[9]

The prison's aim is to prepare inmates for their release. Prisoners are encouraged to maintain and develop links with families and the wider community. Prisoners can, in the final stages of their sentence, progress to working out of the prison in full-time employment or voluntary community work. The prisoners operate a cafe and car wash, both of which are outside the prison fence and serve the general public. ^[10]

A Parkrun event, run on the closed land inside the prison fence, began operating in May 2019. ^{[11] [12]}

Kirklevington Grange

Kirklevington Grange

Kirklevington Grange was a country house remodelled and extended in 1892–1898 to designs by E. J. May. The structure, which is listed as a Grade II building, is now incorporated into the main prison complex. ^[13]

Notable inmates

• Andy Ferrell, former professional footballer who received a four-year sentence in 2013 for drug dealing. ^[14]

References

1. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (2015). "Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Kirklevington Grange" (PDF). Retrieved 12 November 2023.
2. "Staff praised at Teesside prison". BBC News. 3 March 2004. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
3. "Prison carries out excellent work". BBC News. 11 January 2006. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
4. "Kirklevington Grange prison's resettlement work praised". BBC News. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
5. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. "Report on an announced inspection of HMP Kirklevington Grange, 9–13 May 2011" (PDF). Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
6. Laura Love (24 January 2014). "Ricky Darren Beech: Prisoner on the run after absconding from Kirklevington Grange Prison in Yarm". TeessideLive .
7. John Rogan (24 January 2014). "Ricky Darren Beech: Police arrest prisoner who absconded from Kirklevington Grange". TeessideLive . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
8. Gareth Lightfoot (23 May 2024). "Plans to increase cell numbers at Holme House prison". Darlington and Stocking Times. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
9. "Kirklevington Grange Prison". HM Prison Service. Ministry of Justice. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
10. Dave Himelfield (10 July 2023). "The delightful café right next to a prison where inmates wash your car as you eat lunch". Teesside Gazette . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
11. "The Grange parkrun : Event History". parkrunUK. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
12. Peter Baron (29 December 2021). "Time well spent – how the parkrun is supporting rehabilitation inside a North-East prison". The Northern Echo . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
13. Historic England. "Kirklevington Grange (1323753)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 17 January 2018.
14. Sophie Doughty (27 May 2015). "Former Newcastle footballer Andy Ferrell talks about losing it all and getting back on track". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 6 July 2022.

External links

• Guidance: Kirklevington Grange Prison, HM Prison and Probation Service and Ministry of Justice, 1 April 2022
• Inside Kirklevington Grange open prison, TeessideLive, 13 June 2018