HM Prison Service Managing Prisons in England and Wales

His Majesty's Prison Service (HMPS) is a critical component of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), the government body responsible for managing the majority of prisons within England and Wales. While Scotland and Northern Ireland maintain their own independent prison services, HMPS ensures the execution of court sentences and the protection of the public through the secure custody of offenders.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

The service is led by two director general roles within HMPPS: the Director General CEO, currently held by James McEwen, and the Director General Operations, currently held by Michelle Jarman-Howe. The CEO reports directly to the Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jo Farrar, and maintains a close working relationship with the Secretary of State for Justice and the Prisons Minister, Catherine McKinnell.

The head office of the service is located at 102 Petty France in London, having previously operated out of Clive House and Cleland House in the City of Westminster.

Purpose and Objectives

The primary statement of purpose for His Majesty's Prison Service is to serve the public by keeping those committed by the courts in custody, treating them with humanity, and assisting them in leading law-abiding lives both during their incarceration and after their release. The Ministry of Justice's overarching objective is the effective execution of court sentences to reduce re-offending and protect the public.

Operational Statistics and Challenges

The service manages a significant population of prisoners and staff. As of 2019, the recidivism rate in the UK was nearly 50% after one year. Operationally, the service has seen fluctuations in prisoner populations and staffing levels:

• Prisoner Population: In June 2016, there were 85,130 prisoners, with 95.47% being male. By March 2019, the annual average had fallen to 83,013.
• Staffing: On March 31, 2019, there were 37,735 staff in post, marking a steady increase from 32,841 in 2017.
• Security: Drug finds within prisons rose by 41% in the 12 months leading up to March 2019, totaling 18,435 finds.

Rehabilitation and Employment

HMPPS has a duty to rehabilitate offenders through education, training, work, and targeted accredited programs. In the 2018/19 financial year, an average of 12,100 prisoners were employed in custody, contributing 17.1 million hours of work. The average monthly net earnings per prisoner were £1,083 before the Prisoner Earnings Act (PEA) levy.

Historical Evolution

18th Century Reforms

During the 18th century, punishment varied from fines and whipping to transportation to American colonies. When prison spaces became exhausted in 1776, sailing vessels known as "hulks" were used for temporary confinement. A pivotal figure in reform was John Howard, who published The State of the Prisons in 1777, advocating for separate cells and specialized sections for different types of offenders. His efforts led to the Penitentiary Act of 1779, which introduced solitary confinement and religious instruction, though the state penitentiaries proposed were never built due to war and funding issues.

19th Century Progress

Reformers like Elizabeth Fry and Charles Dickens continued to highlight the dire conditions of prisons, pushing for more humane treatment and systemic changes throughout the 19th century.