Charlie Taylor
@charlie_taylor6
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Worrying findings from our inspection at HMP Foston Hall - the first time we have awarded a 1 - our lowest grade for safety for a woman's prison for more than ten years - levels of violence and self-harm were much higher than we see elsewhere.
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I'm very sorry to hear of the death of David Ramsbotham. He was fearless in his fight to improve the treatment of prisoners and to maintain the independence of the inspectorate - a fight he continued in his time in the House of Lords. He will be very much missed.
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When prisoners are released do we want them to .A. Return to crime and be a burden on the state? .or .B. Get a job, work hard, pay taxes and take care of their families? - .If the answer is B then we need more of what @HMPAskham and @McDonaldsUK are doing .
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In all the noise about Wandsworth, it is important to remember the many #hiddenheros at the prison - staff who do an amazing job often in the most difficult circumstances.
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HMIP have recently inspected 6 woman's prisons - See our findings in this short paper. We saw some good examples bespoke support for the most vulnerable, but huge concerns about the use of prison as a "place of safety" for acutely mentally ill women.
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Delighted that @CommonsJustice have endorsed my appointment as next Chief Inspector of Prisons.
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Great news! - prisoners coming to the end of their sentences getting into proper jobs that they will be able to keep after release. Well done to the excellent @HMPAskham and @McDonaldsUK
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Delighted to be preferred candidate for HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, subject to pre-appointment hearing from JSC.
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On @SkyNews with @AnnaJonesSky talking about the despair felt by IPP prisoners who have a suicide rate more than double that of other prisoners.
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Delighted to be taking over as chair of the Youth Justice Board in March when Tom McNally leaves after three years of outstanding service.
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Royal Appointment of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons -
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To prevent reoffending, the creation of new victims of crime and the waste of taxpayers’ money, we must transform youth custody- my article in today’s @spectator
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I have sent and Urgent Notification to @AlexChalkChelt about HMP Bristol - 7 self-inflicted deaths in the last 10 months, one suspected murder, drugs are rife and most prisoners locked up for 22 hours a day.
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Just to be clear - the awful situation at Cookham Wood we report on today was not about funding - there were more than 360 staff and 24 senior managers for just 77 boys. It was a failure to provide for this group of challenging and vulnerable boys.
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My article about the state of our prisons in today's @spectator over-crowded, inexperienced staff and a stifling bureaucracy that chains governors to their desks and stops them from innovating.
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Our deeply depressing report published today on Cookham Wood YOI-Behaviour was not being managed, staff demoralised and children held in conditions that amounted to solitary confinement - including two who had been locked away for more than 100 days.
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HMIP have invoked an Urgent Notification to @RobertBuckland for HMP Chelmsford - prisoners are not being kept safe with very high levels of violence, 8 self inflicted and 4 more non-natural deaths since 2018, and rising self-harm.
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Looking forward to attending serious youth violence summit at Number 10. Where I be encouraging better collaboration between services to support children who are at risk of being pulled into crime.
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50% of prisoners struggle with reading, but education providers and prisons are not doing enough. Time in jail is a good opportunity to improve reading - see my blog.
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Really enjoyed meeting such an impressive and inspirational group of people. Teaching prisoners to read is not optional, it's absolutely essential.
We were delighted to have @charlie_taylor6, @HMIPrisonsnews, join us at our team gathering yesterday to talk about his work in making reading a priority in prisons and listen to questions from our colleagues. A huge thank you to Charlie for his time and support.
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HMP Durham has reduced violence by more than 60% since our 2018 inspection, because of effective leadership and a concerted effort to reduce drug the drug supply into the prison. Much still to do, but heading in the right direction.
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Many congratulations to all the staff at HMP Feltham! Led by the strong governor and her team- we report on a YOI that has transformed since our 2019 inspection. Safer, more respectful with better education and resettlement.
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HMP Winchester report shows.👉Some of the highest rates of violence in the country.👉Dilapidated cells, broken furniture, graffiti.👉Most prisoners locked in their cells for 22.5 hours a day, very few in work or education. Unable to shower every day.
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Please read my latest blog - HMP Oakwood is the best closed prison I have visited. Its also the largest jail in the country and it has the lowest funding per prisoner of any Cat C jail.
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Many congratulations to governor Paul Newton for the OBE. He transformed @hmpbirmingham after catastrophic 2018 inspection with his energy, attention to detail, focus on getting the basics right and investment in staff. Few governors spend as much time out on the wings as Paul.
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Lovely and very moving memorial service for David Ramsbotham yesterday with former chief inspectors Anne Owers, @nicklhardwick2 and Peter Clarke all in attendance.
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Urgent Notification issued for HMP Wandsworth .👉7 suicides in the last year.👉drugs rife.👉security not good enough despite last year’s escape.👉most prisoners locked up for 22 hours a day, often with no time outdoors.
Yesterday, @charlie_taylor6 wrote to the Secretary of State for Justice @AlexChalkChelt to invoke the Urgent Notification process following our unannounced inspection of HMP Wandsworth between 22nd April and 2nd May 2024.
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To everyone who works in prisons and immigration detention - your courage and dedication is an inspiration. Thank you.
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Congratulations to Andrew Malkinson - guest producer on @BBCr4today - an enormously powerful show.
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So sorry to hear this news, Erwin was a remarkable man and a brilliant editor. He was the living embodiment of rehabilitation - he transformed his own life and then went on to touch the lives many others.
We are sad to announce the death of Erwin James, 66, Editor of @InsideTimeUK from 2016 to 2023. He is believed to have tripped and fallen into water, hitting his head, on January 19. Our sympathies go to his wife Margaret, sister, and two daughters. He will be much missed.
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I have been hugely impressed by the quality, dedication and enthusiasm of @unlockedgrads working in some of our most challenging prisons. Really sorry to hear the scheme, in future will not go ahead, at a time when the recruitment of high-quality officers is so important.
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Congratulations to governor Mark Allen and his team at @HMPAylesbury - making very good progress at what has been for many years a troubled jail. Read our independent review of progress here.
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Supreme court judgement provides the government with an important opportunity to rethink the way criminal records operate and to allow people who offended as a child to go on to lead successful and productive lives
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My article in today's Telegraph about our thematic report on the experience of prisoners during lockdown (no paywall).
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A wide range of excellent prisoner led initiatives at HMP Oakwood including carpentry, the market garden and induction for new arrivals. The prisoners I spoke to around the jail were the most positive I have yet come across in a male closed prison despite the ongoing restrictions.
We have published a report on a full inspection of HMP Oakwood near Wolverhampton - a safe prison with prisoners given trust and responsibility. The report is here - See how the healthy prison scores in its 2018 inspection compare with those in 2021 -
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See my latest blog on the effects of the growing prison population.👉More overcrowding .👉Even less time out of cell.👉Fewer opportunities for learning skills required to get work on release .= risk of more crime .
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Delighted that @edwardtimpson is leading #ExclusionsReview. School exclusion often significant step on the journey into Justice system for children.
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804 children (u18) in custody, April 2019 in England and Wales - the lowest number on record.
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Excellent article in @thetimes on the growing prison population as the newspaper kicks off its Crime and Justice Commission @RSylvesterTimes
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Looking forward to appearing in front of @CommonsJustice at 2:30 this afternoon talking about the effects of Covid-19 with my fellow Justice Chief Inspectors.
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On @TheNewsAgents yesterday with @jonsopel and @maitlis talking about HMP Hindley where more than 50% of random drug tests on prisoners were positive. Drugs=Debt=Violence.The challenge is not just reduce supply, but to reduce demand for drugs with meaningful, purposeful activity.
"Only focusing on reducing the supply [of drugs] will never solve the problem - you've got to focus on reducing the demand.". @charlie_taylor6 explains the importance of getting prisoners out of their cells into work + education in tackling drugs in jails.
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Really pleased to visit the outstanding Bike Back workshop in Bristol, giving ex-offenders skills, qualifications and work.
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Read our enormously concerning report into HMP Chelmsford where we invoked Urgent Notification- high levels of violence and self-harm, prisoners often unable to get basics ie clean clothes and a disengaged and demoralised staff group.
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See my blog on category C prisons - most are currently not close to fulfilling their function of getting prisoners into training, work or education. This means they are not developing the skills they need to lead a crime-free life on release.
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Rainsbrook interim inspection - Children as young as 15 spent their first two weeks locked up for 23.5 hours a day without having any meaningful contact with staff or children.
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This good news, bold and timely move by @sajidjavid . We can get to a fair position where a criminal record does not stop people from going on to be successful members of society, while making sure that there is suitable public protection.
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Congratulations to HMP Bedford - strong leadership has led to a big improvement at this jail that was in a terrible state in 2018. Still a long way to go - but real progress -up a point in each of our scores.
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👉Inspectorate of Prisons annual report published today.👉Too many prisoners locked up in overcrowded conditions. 👉Not nearly enough education, training or work meaning they may be more likely to reoffend when they come out.
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In October inspectors found that newly admitted children - some as young as 15 were being locked in their bedrooms for 23.5 hours a day for their first 14 days in the Rainsbrook.
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Opportunity to join our outstanding team at HMI Prisons. You need to be able to: get into the detail, weigh up evidence and make judgements while working at pace, give honest feedback, write well, travel the country, often working long hours away from home - in a fascinating job.
Do you want to be an inspector? 🔎. We are looking for Inspectors to inspect prison and other forms of custody. Read more below ⬇️
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Our report out on Wetherby YOI today - a girl was stripped on two occasions by male officers to prevent her from self-harming - despite this being an entirely predictably pattern of behaviour.
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On the @BBCr4today debate with @MishalHusain discussing the effect of court delays on overcrowding in prisons - unsentenced and remanded prisoners now make up 19% of the prison population- at a 50 year high
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It was a pleasure to inspect Hollesley Bay - prisoners given a real chance to progress - many excellent officers supported by a strong, effective leadership team - held to account by the governor and his deputy.
Earlier this week we published a report on Hollesley Bay, a jail providing prisoners with every opportunity to gain the skills needed to successfully reintegrate into the community. Read further examples of notable positive practice and the report here:
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Very pleased that this year’s YOT grant will match last year’s cash allocation -shows commitment of @DavidGauke and @DrPhillipLeeMP to YJ despite tight MoJ budgets.
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👉 People who are sent to prison must be taught to read. 👉Being able to read is essential if we want people to make a success of their lives when they are released.
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Report out today on HMP Bedford - "On E wing, the smell of mould in one cell was overpowering, with the walls damp to the touch, while the underground segregation unit was a disgrace. Here, problems with the drainage mean that on very wet days, raw sewage covered the floor".
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Prisoners at @hmpoakwood_ were falling over themselves to tell us how much better it was than other jails - see my blog on what makes the prison so good.
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@neill_bob leaves parliament after his outstanding chairmanship of @CommonsJustice . You will be very much missed for your wisdom, fairness, rigour, tenacity and good nature by all of us who work in this world.
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Delighted that @keithfraser2017 has been appointed as the new chair of the YJB - an outstanding choice!.
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Congratulations to Nick Leader OBE at @OfficialBerwyn, with his remarkable energy he has driven up standards at one of the largest jails in the country. Another governor who spends lots of his time out on the wing listening to prisoners and staff.
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Urgent notice issued over UK youth jail where children held in solitary confinement | Youth justice | The Guardian
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It is unfathomable that this brilliant scheme that has brought so many outstanding people into prisons will not continue.
So delighted to welcome Chief Inspector of prisons @charlie_taylor6 to @unlockedgrads Summer Institute today! Some excellent uplifting commentary on the difference prison officers can make, and the importance of relational practice on the landings of prisons. @HMIPrisonsnews
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Our report on the delays in getting mentally very unwell prisoners to secure hospital - leading to:.👉catastrophic self-harm, .👉assaults on officers and prisoners, .👉long stays in segregation units where their condition deteriorates.
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Delighted to have been asked, in an independent capacity, by Edward Argar to review the use of pain-inducing techniques to contain children in the secure estate.
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HMP Lindholme - an astonishing 21% of prisoners told us they had developed a drug problem since they had come to the prison.
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Excellent work being done in North Yorks. - @stuartcarlton . - new approach keeping looked-after children out of crime in North Yorkshire | Society | The Guardian
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The third positive inspection report in recent weeks - we describe HMP Doncaster as "a very well led prison" - many congratulations to the director and his staff.
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Urgent Notification for HMP Cookham Wood sent to @AlexChalkChelt where 20 of the 77 boys were segregated, some held in conditions of solitary confinement. Scandalous way to treat children.
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Thanks to Cookham Wood YOI for letting 2 boys out today on ROTL to speak at #YJC18 #Childfirst.
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Loved dong this podcast with @PrisonRadioUK really interesting talking about our and about prison culture more generally.
When prison staff do their job well, it can transform the culture of the most difficult prisons, and the futures of those within them. In this week's #podcast, we hear from @charlie_taylor6 and @MarcConway80 on violence, corruption and culture. 🎧
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Delighted to welcome excellent @The_Skill_Mill today @MoJGovUK - getting children who have offended into work.
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Delighted to launch @Ofstednews and @HMIPrisonsnews joint report into the teaching of reading in prisons. A call to action to @MoJGovUK and @hmpps - The least support is going to those prisoners who need it the most.
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This practice had been going on for seven months since the beginning of the lockdown and only stopped when it was pointed out by inspectors. It is extremely concerning that this was allowed to happen by Rainsbrook and the Youth Custody Service (YCS).
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Many congratulations to staff and leaders at Parc YOI - education open for almost the entire pandemic. At other YOI children were lucky if they got 6 hours unlocked, boys at Parc were out of their cells for at least 12 hours a day. 4s across the board.
HMYOI Parc – top performance across the board. Read our inspection report - And our media release - And see the healthy prison scores -
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Great Day yesterday in East Riding of Yorkshire, the first YOT to get top score from HMIP - their secret: total commitment to supporting children in trouble across county from: elected members, magistrates, police, DCS Kevin Hall,.
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Very concerning report from prisons inspectorate on the separation of children in Young Offender Institutions published today.
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See my latest blog on the dire state of reading in prisons Chief Inspector’s blog: why don’t prisoners learn to read?
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Thanks to YOT leaders, DCS and representatives from across the secure estate for really helpful meeting on Constructive Resettlement. We owe it to victims to make sure that when children leave custody, they do not get pulled back into crime, but rather go on to thrive.
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In North Yorkshire today many thanks to @stuartcarlton and his team for demonstrating how successful integration of YOT with children’s services provides joined up support to children and families.
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I was deeply concerned about the conditions in which some prisoners were being held at Eastwood Park. In one house block acutely mentally ill women, who should have been in hospital, were being kept in appalling conditions.
HMP/YOI Eastwood Park - women in crisis held in appalling conditions. Read our inspection report - . And our media release - And see the healthy prison scores -
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Many thanks to @HMPBristol for allowing me to spend an informal day at the prison yesterday. Great to hear about the progress they have made from prisoners, officers, Governor James Lucas and his leadership team.
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Our very concerning report into Werrington YOI today - higher levels of violence than any prison in the country, with boys locked in their rooms for long periods of time without access to decent education.
HMYOI Werrington – children feeling unsafe in a violent environment. Read our inspection report - And our media release - And see the healthy prison scores –
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Today I issued an Urgent Notification to @AlexChalkChelt re HMP Bedford. The third repeat UN in the last 12 months - Exeter 2018 and 2022.Bristol 2019 and 2023 and Bedford 2018 and 2023 all for very risky, small, Victorian reception prisons.
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Scrutiny visit report on Feltham A today - good progress has been made since the UN in 2019, relationships between staff and boys have improved, the challenge will be to maintain this as the population of the YOI grows.
Published today: our report on a scrutiny visit to HMYOI Feltham A. Read the report: Read the media release:
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Urgent Notification sent to @AlexChalkChelt Re HMP Woodhill.👉Highest level of serious assaults on prison officers in the country.👉Highest levels of self-harm in the country.👉Chronic staffing shortages.
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On Good Morning Britain talking about my Youth Justice Review.
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Leaving MoJ today and looking to return to education. I am hopeful that my Youth Justice Review will be published before the end of the year.
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Talking about my Youth Justice Review on @BBCBreakfast, 5live, @itvnews and @SkyMurnaghan this morning.
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Great visit to the North East this week - really good to hear about collaborative work between YOT and other LA services such a social care - really good progress is being made.
This week our chair @charlie_taylor6 attended a meeting with the Joint Regional Heads of Service. This brought together Heads of Service across Yorkshire, Humberside, Cumbria and the North East.
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A new blog post I've written on the development of a school-led education system: http://t.co/VdsMasYck9.
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Ofsted in conjunction with HM Inspectorate of Prisons and CQC have issued an Urgent Notification to the Secretary of State for Justice in relation to Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre.
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See my blog on open prisons in lockdown- where the loss of ROTL means many prisoners have not had the preparation for release that they needed to help them to resettle and get work.
"It is easy to assume that the excitement of release will override any anxiety about leaving custody, but prisoners have told me how nervous they are.". In his latest blog, our Chief Inspector Charlie Taylor discusses open prisons.
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