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HM Prison Oakwood

South Staffordshire, Italy

HM Prison Oakwood

HM Prison Oakwood is a Category C prison in Featherstone, Staffordshire, England. Designed to be a titan prison, it was downsized from 2,500 to hold up to 1,605 prisoners. Construction started in August 2009 and it was the first prison in the UK built in a modular fashion. Operated by G4S, it opened

in April 2012 and was fully operational by autumn 2012. It was initially called Featherstone 2. Following the announcement that, along with HMP Birmingham, its operation would be contracted out to a private company, the Prison Officers Association threatened industrial action. Following a surprise inspection by HM Inspector of Prisons, the report published in October 2013 identified several issues of concern, including a high level of violence. However the Inspectorate's report in August 2024 describes a prison 'where inmates have low rates of violence and self-harm, is praised for ‘bucking trends in challenging times’'

Listen to the audio guide for HM Prison Oakwood Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

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