New Names For Parts Of La Moye Prison

Parts of La Moye Prison are being renamed after distinguished islanders.

It's part of a modernisation of the facility.

The original residential wings were named A to G. They are due to be demolished in the next few weeks.

The newer blocks that have replaced them over the past decade or so have been known as H, J, K and L.

Those letters will be replaced with the names of islanders who served in the World Wars.

Prison Governor Susie Richardson says it is part of an important scheme of work within the prison:

"We're trying to deinstitutionalise the environment here, which is based on the evidence of normalising a prison environment and the improvements it has at resettling offenders and preparing them for life outside the facility."

Names have been chosen by staff members of the prison, who have worked with a local historian.

Ms Richardson has been telling Channel 103 how the decision was made.

"We went through a very collaborative and democratic process. We asked the prisoners and staff for ideas and all sorts of Jersey themes were offered.

We had the idea of naming the wings after different bays, but we know that system is used at the hospital, so we wanted a fresh theme.

So what we have gone with is some legends of Jersey. People who served in the World Wars and who have received distinguished service."

The names will follow the same letter system:

• J wing will be called Journeaux wing, and is named after a Navy sailor.
• L wing is now called Lugard wing, which is after an Army Sergeant.
• K wing will be Kendal, who is also a sailor on HMS Indefatigable
• And, H wing, which is a female wing, will be known as Hogarth wing, after two nurses who also served during the war.

Dame Anne Owers, National Chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards, will be at the renaming ceremony a VIP  guest.

During her visit, she will look around all parts of the prison and give her feedback to senior management. However, the government says it isn't an inspection.

The Lieutenant Governor will also be  at HMP La Moye this week to open a new £9 million administrative building.

The new block will follow the same system of having a name rather than a letter, but will be called the Len Norman building, after the late Home Affairs Minister Len Norman who died suddenly in June 2021.

Ms Richardson says it was a popular choice by staff

"Len was so loved by the staff here. Sadly I never met him in person. I had the opportunity to speak to him during the recruitment process and was really looking forward to meeting him once I got to the island.

I am delighted that the prison has decided to name the building the Len Norman building, and his family are delighted."

The prison service is now on phase six of an eight-part modernisation programme.

The next two phases include an outworkers unit which will include a coffee shop to enable prisoners to work there prior to release to meet potential employers for when they are back into the community.

The last phase will see a 'multi purpose building' with classrooms, training areas and a segregation unit.