Bronzefield (HM Prison)

Infobox Prison
prison_name = HM Prison Bronzefield


location = Ashford, Surrey
coordinates =
status = Operational
classification = Womens prison
capacity = 450 (November 2004)
opened = 2004
closed =
managed_by = Kalyx
director = Helga Swidenbank

HM Prison Bronzefield at Ashford, Surrey, England is a purpose built privately run women's prison. Opened in June 2004 to accommodate 450 women(later increased to 465) it includes a mother and baby unit and a special section for women with behavioural problems (the HDU or Help & Direction Unit) It also has a full time healthcare centre which can accommodate 18 women.

The Prison has been asked to build a new 77 bed unit. Due to be ready in the September of 2009, this will take the operational capacity up to 532. It has yet to be decided what function the new unit will perform, tho suggestions include housing Young Offenders and First Stage lifers.

HM Prison Bronzefield is the largest female prison in Europe and is currently the only prison to house Category-A prisoners in the female estate (female and juvenile category-A prisoners are called "restricted status" prisoners.Bronzefield is a privately run prison operated by Kalyx (Sodexo) and is staffed by approx 160 prison officers which has a ratio of 60% female and 40% male officers to reflect the need for a women's prison. The jail has also been the subject of many news articles in the tabloid press, most notably about well-known prisoners, its suposedly lax regime and continued poor industrial relations. There have also been at least two high profile cases of prisoner/officer relationships. Fact|date=September 2007Presently The Governor of the prison is Ms Helga Swidenbank.

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