Guernsey Prison officially opens new Women's Wing

Guernsey Prison will officially open its new women's wing today.

The specialist accommodation follows recommendations made by Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons in 2009, to meet the specific needs of female offenders.

The main aim of the new wing is to separate the men's accommodation from the women's.

The recommendations by Baroness Corston follows findings that "women have tended to be marginalised within a system largely designed for men".

The new accommodation was created from two unused areas of the prison and offers a holistic approach to meeting the needs of female prisoners.

It is hoped this will enable female inmates to access support which in turn will help to reduce reoffending.

The wing will accommodate up to six women in the prison.