INSPECTORS have praised a specialist unit for young offenders in Falfield.

HMP Eastwood Park has been told it does commendable work for the young women in its care, at the Mary Carpenter Unit.

The specialist unit is for 17-year-old young women, who have been remanded in custody or given a prison sentence by the Youth Justice Board (YJB), and is attached to the main women’s prison.

It is one of only a small number of units providing a specialised and resource-intensive service for young women with complex needs and offers individual support to address their offending behaviour.

Nick Hardwick, chief inspector of prisons, said there was a high level of care at Eastwood Park, with good health care, mental health care and services for inmates dependent on drugs or alcohol.

In his report, published yesterday (Wednesday, May 25), Mr Hardwick said the unit at Eastwood was a good example of keeping young offenders separated.

He said: "The government has announced its intention to abolish the YJB. The issues arising from this inspection illustrate that its replacement must maintain a distinct focus on the needs of young people, with appropriate governance arrangements to ensure that, over time, the needs of young offenders of either sex do not get lost in the adult estate.

"Putting those national issues aside, the head of the unit and her staff are to be commended for the work they have done and the support they give to the young women to help them prepare for a better future."

Michael Spurr, chief executive officer of the National Offender Management Service, said he was pleased with the report for Eastwood Park.

He said: "The governor, the head of the unit and her staff work hard to provide a high level of care, education and resettlement support.

"The work the Mary Carpenter Unit does with young women helps to reduce re-offending, and thereby protects the public."

A copy of the report can be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website www.justice.gov.uk/inspectorates/hmi-prisons