HMP Forest Bank achieves Registered Restorative Organisation status
HMP Forest Bank is the second Sodexo-led prison to have been awarded the Restorative Organisation status by the Restorative Justice Council.
Over the past year, HMP Forest Bank has developed a whole prison approach to its restorative work, encouraging staff from all departments to take part in restorative processes, which aim at fostering a positive and harmonious day-to-day environment.
Restorative processes aim at bringing together in a structured, controlled setting, those harmed by conflict into communicating with those responsible for the harm. In 2023, a total of 101 Restorative meetings took place, including both prisoners and colleagues – compared to 34 in 2022.
At HMP Forest Bank, prisoners and staff received training in Restorative Approaches (RA) to effectively address conflicts, whether these arise among prisoners or within prisoners and staff members.
The Registration status also enabled the team at HMP Forest Bank to develop its young adult work, appointing a Young Adult RA Champion to the dedicated prison wing, who mentors and supports prisoners residing on the house block, helping them to resolve conflict in the early stages to avoid escalation.
Trevor Shortt, Director at HMP Forest Bank added:
"We are delighted to have been recognised and awarded Restorative Organisation Registration by the Restorative Justice Council.
This award is a testament to the Forest Bank RA Coordinator and the RA Champions who have worked tirelessly to embed a restorative culture at HMP Forest Bank.
Restorative processes have positively impacted many aspects of prison life and are a fundamental element of day-to-day operations at the prison, with the principles being applied in a wide variety of situations to successfully address conflict and differences of opinion."
Jim Simon, Chief Executive at the RJC continued:
"It's great to hear that HMP Forest Bank has taken the initiative to implement restorative principles in the prison.
Leaders have worked hard to establish a restorative culture, which has had a positive impact on many aspects of prison life.
This has been possible due to the close collaboration between the leaders, staff, and the wider prison population.
Thanks to their hard work, the prison has been awarded Registered status by the RJC. Congratulations to HMP Forest Bank leaders, staff, and residents on this well-deserved achievement."
HMP Forest Bank has been open since 2000, serving the courts of Greater Manchester for men both on remand or sentenced and young prisoners between the ages of 18 to 21 years old. With strong links to the local community, HMP Forest Bank has been working on the positive resettlement of prisoners, allowing them to develop skills that will ultimately boost their chance of employment.
The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) is a national, independent membership body for the field of restorative practice. Its objective is to raise awareness about restorative justice for the public benefit to resolve conflict and promote reconciliation across a range of sectors, including criminal justice, education, healthcare, social care, workplaces and within communities at risk of conflicts.