Royal visit for HMP Buckley Hall

HRH with Governor Susan Kennedy after the unveiling of the plaque

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Staff and prisoners at Rochdale's Buckley Hall prison were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal yesterday (Wednesday 23 February 2011).

HRH Princess Anne visited the jail following its success in the 2010 Butler Trust Awards, of which HRH The Princess Royal is the Royal patron, for its partnership work with Rochdale Surestart (Belfield Children's Centre) in bringing prisoners closer together with their families through learning and play.

The Butler Trust, which operates one of the most prestigious awards schemes of its kind, recognises and celebrates outstanding practice by people working in prisons, youth justice, probation and criminal justice social work, throughout the UK.

Buckley Hall's award was in recognition of the work done to reunite prisoners with their children in a meaningful way - and in addition the jails' promotion of the importance of joined-up working to other prisons, children's centres and Probation areas.

HRH Princess Anne was met on arrival at the jail by Governor Susan Kennedy, Simon Shepherd, Director of the Butler Trust, Lady Slynn of Hadley, patron of the trust, the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, the Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Collin Lambert, the Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Warren J Smith and the Clerk to the Lieutenancy Canon Paul Denby.

Governor Susan Kennedy said: "It’s always an honour to welcome a senior Royal to HMP Buckley Hall especially given the tight schedule The Princess Royal keeps.”

Head of Offender Management, Stuart Jenkins, and one of the award winners said: "It was fantastic to have HRH visit and view the work of the partnership between the prison, probation and Rochdale Sure Start. I am immensely proud of the work we have undertaken and the Royal visit has helped to further promote this"

During the visit to the Programme's building, Princess Anne met with a group of prisoners and with Parent Empowerment Worker Sally Entwistle who provided an overview of the range of family focussed activity and support services provided at Buckley Hall.

HRH Princess Anne was then taken to the site of the new Education Building, currently under contruction as part of the ongoing expansion programme at the jail, where she met with the Site Manager, Neil Swirles, who was able to provide an overview of the work.

Mr Swirles said: "Princess Anne was very knowledgeable about the establishment and the amount of work which had been carried out over the last few years to improve the prison.”

Next on the agenda was a visit to Workshop 1 where HRH Princess Anne was met and escorted by Jean Woodward, Deputy Learning and Skills Manager, employed by The Manchester College.

Ms Woodward gave HRH Princess Anne an overview of the courses available to learners, and introduced her to tutor Alan Dunkley and Technician Ray Gradwell. Here the learners were working towards Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery and HRH was able to see the work in progress.

In Workshop 7 HRH was introduced to tutor Allen Warburton, Technician Jeff Holt and 13 prisoners working towards a Diploma in Construction Operations.

The visit culminated with an informal reception with groups of staff including Healthcare staff, volunteers, members of the Independent Monitoring Board, Education staff and prison employees.

HRH unveiled a plaque to mark the visit and commented on the excellent work she had witnessed during her visit.