Huntercombe

Opened in 1946, the site was used as an internment camp during the last war. Extensive redevelopment has taken place over the last ten years and there is little left of the wartime buildings. Since April 2000 the establishment has only held male prisoners under the age of 18 as part of the Prison Service under 18 estate.

Address:

Nuffield
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
RG9 5SB

Tel: 01491 643 100

Fax: 01491 643 101

Governor: Kevin Leggett

Accommodation: Cellular

Operational capacity: 365 as of 4th January 2008 

Reception criteria: Sentenced Juveniles aged 15 to 18.

Governor's comments

HMYOI Huntercombe is now fully established in its role as a dedicated site for young men aged 15-18, serving a Detention and Training Order, Indeterminate, Extended Sentences or sentenced under Section 91.

HMYOI Huntercombe is developing as a Secure College, with high quality education provision the core element of every young persons time at Huntercombe; the key aim being to improve literacy and numeracy skills.

Underpinning progress in education is cognitive behaviour programmes and work on substance misuse. Young people have opportunities for vocational training and work experience and a rich and varied programme of physical activity, with a particular emphasis on building confidence and self esteem.

We are also developing our ‘Arts' activities with TV, video and music projects and more to come. This work fits within an overall sentence management framework, managed by staff with experience of work in Youth Offending Teams. Close liaison with families and YOT workers ensures that the time at HMYOI Huntercombe forms a useful part of the whole DTO. The most important aspect of HMYOI Huntercombe remains the quality of care that the young men receive, particularly from staff on the residential accommodation.

We take proactive steps to reduce bullying and using rewards and sanctions to encourage appropriate behaviour. We have effective systems in place to ensure that Child Protection issues are addressed. HMYOI Huntercombe works with a range of partner agencies, including the YJB, the YMCA, VCC Advocacy service, the Police, the LEA and the Area Child Protection Committee to provide a safe and decent environment in which to hold young people in custody and work to reduce the risk of their re-offending.