GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Castington is a Young Offender Institution and Prison It was originally a satellite of HM Prison Acklington but in 1983 became a totally independent establishment for long-term young offenders up to the age of 21 years. In January 1999 a further unit was opened to hold unconvicted young people. Then in April 2000 Castington re-rolled to become part of the juvenile estate as well as a young offender prison. This was due to the introduction of the Detention Training Order (DTO) as part of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. A Section 92 unit was opened in August 2000, which holds 40 trainees and is a national resource. Castington therefore has a dual role: to the Prison Service but also to the Youth Justice Board who provide funding for the juvenile estate.

The accommodation is of a high standard, all single room with integral sanitation. Each cell consists of a bed, chair, wardrobe, table and shelves and a picture board. Bedding and clothing are exchanged weekly with the opportunity to wash personal clothing in the unit laundries.

Castington was accredited with the Investors in People Award in November 1999.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to HMP/YOI Castington's page. We hope you find the information helpful and that it gives some insight into what we do here at Castington and what we try to achieve with the young people in our care.

If you have any suggestions/comments about the following information then we would be happy to hear from you. Please write to c/o Governor at the above address.

AIMS

The primary purpose of HMP/YOI Castington is to, at all times, contribute to the Prison Service objectives to:

Protect the public by holding those committed by the courts in a safe, decent and healthy environment

Reduce crime by providing constructive regimes which address offending behaviour, improve educational and work skills, and promote law-abiding behaviour in custody and after release. In support of that purpose, HMP/YOI Castington's vision is to forge a good and productive working relationship with the Youth Justice Board and to produce an effective and productive regime for all trainees:

Combine a safe and secure environment with mutual respect for all.
Achieve an innovative regime with links to the community and young people's families.
Recognise that staff are our most valuable asset, and strive to achieve staff ownership through a positive culture.
Ensure we serve the public by keeping young people in custody, treating them with humanity and helping them lead law-abiding and useful lives both in Castington and after release.

LOCATION

Situated approximately 25 miles north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 6 miles south of Alnwick.

VISITING HOURS

All visits must be pre-booked 24 hours in advance. To book a visit ring 01670 762018.

Obviously the higher grade within the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme the trainee is on then more visits are provided, ie
Basic: 2 visiting orders every 28 days
Standard : 2 visiting orders + 1 privileged visiting order every 28 days
Standard Plus: 2 visiting orders + 2 privileged visiting orders every 28 days
Enhanced: 3 visiting orders + 2 privileged visiting orders every 28 days

Remand
The number of times those on remand can receive a visit depends upon the incentive grade as stated above. As a remand trainee visitors will need to book prior to arrival. Visits take place on: Monday to Saturday: 1330 – 1615 hours

Convicted
The number of times convicted trainees can receive a visit depends also upon the incentive grade the individual is on. An application to send out a Visiting Order is requested and once the visitor has received this they should ring to book a visit. Visiting sessions are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday commencing at 1330 hours.

Reception
New arrivals are allocated reception visits and are only valid for 48 hours after the trainee has been received into the establishment. These visits take place on all days from 1330 – 1615 hours. Only family members are allowed on a reception visits (maximum 3 adults). The reception visiting orders are completed in the reception area and cannot be re-issued later. All reception visits must also be booked ringing the above number.

Families and Friends Support Centre (NEPACS)
North Eastern Prisons After Care Society are a voluntary, independent, community based charity managing the Visitors Centre at Castington which provides support to families. The centre which is situated between HMP/YOI Castington and HMP Acklington, is open Tuesday to Sunday between the hours of 1230 – 1630 hours and is staffed by paid staff and volunteers from the local community. Visitors are welcome at the centre where they will be provided with information on visiting and a range of services.

HOW TO GET THERE...

The Northumbria 518 Service to Alnwick leaves the Haymarket Bus Station, Newcastle, at 1/4 to the hour. The journey to HM YOI Castington/HMP Acklington takes one hour. The bus stops outside of the prison itself. Buses return from Castington to Newcastle at 1/2 past the hour.

BOARD OF VISITORS

Clerk to the Board of Visitors
HMP Castington
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE65 9XG

GENERAL INFORMATION

REGIMES

Under the umbrella of regimes (also known as Activities in some establishments) falls the daily management of the departments you will find below. As you will see there are a number of teams all inter-linked into providing services and activities for the full occupancy of the young people we are charged to care for during their stay at Castington.

We firmly believe that education is all about learning in its widest possible sense and therefore education at HMP/YOI Castington is delivered by a strong partnership of staff from New College Durham, Physical Education Instructors, Workshop Instructors, Psychologists, Careers Advisors, Chaplaincy and CARATS.

CAREERS SERVICE

Here at Castington the Careers Service Team work with young people leaving custody to help them make plans for their release. We start this process by introducing ourselves to young people at their induction. In asking them what they would like to do in the future, we challenge and encourage them to turn their sentence into a positive experience by making the most of opportunities to further their education and gain work place skills. Castington gives them a great opportunity to do this and to find out about the things they enjoy doing and are good at.

Many young people in custody have missed out on their last years at school and with it the opportunity for work experience etc. The range of education and training provision in Castington can actually give them a second chance to explore some of these opportunities. This awareness can help them make more informed choices about what they will do once released.

The link between unemployment and repeat offending is unquestionable. Our aim is to work with the young people here, especially during their last five weeks, to help them explore the range of opportunities for work/education/training upon release. Just as serving a custodial sentence means having to make adjustments, so does preparing for release.

Just because someone has served a custodial sentence doesn't mean that they can't get their life back "on track" again. Low self-esteem and lack of confidence can seriously affect levels of motivation amongst young people. We work with young people at Castington to get them to think about their options and help them make the right choices. We expect them to leave here with a personal plan which highlights any agreed action and lists the steps to be taken, like appointments with the Careers Service, benefits agency, training and education providers etc.

The Northumberland Guidance Company based in HMP/YOI Castington can be contacted on: Telephone: 01670 762060/2092

Prison Service Area:
North-East

Area Manager:
Mitch Egan

Escort Area:
Area 8/Group4

Parliamentary Constituency:
Berwick-upon-Tweed

M.P.:
Rt. Hon. Alan Beith (Liberal)

Local authority (county):
Northumberland

Local authority (district):
Castle Morpeth

Constabulary:
Northumbria

Probation Service area:
Northumbria Probation Service