Everything You Need to Know About HMP Dovegate

HMP Dovegate is a Category B men’s private prison near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

Opened in 2001, it is run by Serco and holds roughly 1,100 inmates, most of whom are serving long-term sentences. Accommodation is divided into the main prison, where the majority of inmates are held, and the Therapeutic Prison, which offers serious repeat offenders daily group therapy lasting between 18 and 24 months. Since 2009, the jail has also had space for 130 remand prisoners from Stoke and Newcastle-under-Lyme Courts. HMP Dovegate has recently been in the news after a report revealed high levels of violence and drug use, an officer was caught smuggling drugs and phones for inmates and three members of staff were arrested under suspicion of having “inappropriate relationships” with inmates.

Facilities at HMP Dovegate

HMP Dovegate’s education department has space for 126 inmates to receive part-time education five days a week, from basic literacy and numeracy skills to Open University courses. There is a staffed visiting centre, a visitors’ area with children’s play areas, a library with more than 6,000 books and a shop. The prison’s gym and sports centre provide various activities including football, weight-training and weight-loss programmes. There is a 24-hour primary healthcare facility and a full-time medical officer. There is also a place of worship with Christian and multi-faith areas.

Prison Officer Paid to Smuggle Drugs and Phones for Inmate

A prison officer at HMP Dovegate was caught smuggling drugs and mobile phones into the jail in April 2018. Adrian Kedzierski was paid £1,000 a time for concealing the contraband in his shirt before delivering it to inmates. He was caught when a note accusing him of smuggling the class B drug, Mamba was discovered. He said he had been told that his throat would be slashed if he refused to commit the crime. Sentencing him to three years in prison, a judge said his actions had been a “gross breach of trust”.

Staff Allegedly Had “Inappropriate Relationships” with Inmates

In March 2018, it was revealed that three staff at HMP Dovegate were under investigation for alleged “inappropriate relationships” with inmates. A nurse, a prison officer and another member of staff were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. One of them was also suspected of smuggling illicit items into the jail.

Inspection Revealed Unacceptable Levels of Violence and Drug Use

An unannounced inspection in May and June 2017 identified serious problems with drugs and violence at HMP Dovegate. Inspectors said the prison was “still not safe enough”. Levels of violence had fallen since 2016 but remained too high, with a fifth of assaults classified as serious and a quarter of inmates reporting feeling unsafe. Alcohol brewed in cells and drugs such as Spice were found to be widely available, and the substantial number of Muslims in the jail reported being treated less favourably than white inmates.

Contact Details for HMP Dovegate

The address is HMP Dovegate, Moreton Lane, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 8RX. The phone number is 01283 829 400. The current director is John Hewitson and the current controller is Kate Robinson. For more information visit the HMP Dovegate website.