Eco-friendly jail with windows and access to pet therapy

Consider a prison where inmates are referred to as “residents,” cells feature windows rather than bars, and everyone is welcome to engage in dog-assisted therapy sessions.

Doesn’t that sound like something from the future? The UK’s first-ever mega jail is all of these things and more.

Northamptonshire’s HMP Five Wells is one of the UK’s four environmentally friendly prisons. It is the first detention unit, according to sources, to remove bars from cells that resemble hostel rooms with windows.

Only a month ago, the first inmate arrived at HMP Five Wells. However, the total number of inmate ‘residents’ has now climbed to 137.

The jail staff strives to make the transition from prison to life outside simpler for all inmates. The goal is to use a ‘soft touch’ approach to everything in order to influence inhabitants’ attitudes and, as a result, minimize the frequency of repeat offenses.

With 24 workshops, the facility offers a wide range of recreational activities, and convicts with families are permitted to assist their children with schoolwork. There is also a special section for families, which includes a homework club and a playground.

Residents are allowed to participate in video chats and school functions with their children.

That’s not all, though. All offenders at HMP Five Wells can participate in a “pet therapy” programme.

At full capacity, the facility can hold 1,700 convicts and 700 staff members. John McLaughlin, the director (governor), is in charge.