HMP Brixton Prison Visit Guide

HMP BRIXTON
This document is designed to give you a brief
overview of HMP Brixton - its capacity,
purpose and history - and Unlocked officers
prior to your visit.
About this prison
The original buildings date from 1819 and has
undergone refurbishment over recent years. In July
2012, following a long history as a named prison,
Brixton became a resettlement prison, housing
category C prisoners. It no longer serves any courts.
The prisons reputation and reports have shown
significant improvements over recent years and a
real focus on a rehabilitative culture exists here.
Brixton is particularly known for the innovative Clink
restaurant which provides opportunities for
prisoners to enter the hospitality and catering
industry by running a restaurant that the public can
visit. Other initiatives currently on offer include
education programmes particularly in Maths and
English, drug services, a radio station, and a
chaplaincy. Phoenix Futures Family Support Service
provides support and guidance to the families and
prisoners affected by substance misuse.
The basics
Governor: Sonia Brooks
Operational capacity: 798
Category: Adult male, C
Address: Jebb Avenue, Brixton,
London, SW2 5XF
Current Unlocked
Participants: 6
(2020 cohort- 2, 2021 cohort- 4)
Key links
Unlocked at Brixton
Unlocked has placed participants at HMP Brixton
since 2017. Participants have secured specialist
roles as Segregation Officers, temporary Custodial
Managers (CMs) and Cultural Advisers. They have
also worked with Brixton's Rehabilitative Culture
Committee.
Latest inspectorate report
@HMP_Brixton
Clink charity
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Prison Visit Info
Project completed at HMP Brixton
During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, officer
Allegra Joly carried out a mural project in the Drug
Rehab and Wellbeing Wing to provide safe, engaging
environment for prisoners taking part in the
Forward Trust therapeutic programmes. A mural of
olive tree was created, promoting the wing as a
recovery space in line with 'the enabling
environments' theory which recognises safe, varied
and engaging environments as necessary enactor of
meaningful change.
Impact
The project engaged 150 prisoners who designed,
painted the olive tree mural. Participating prisoners
were given more time out of their cell and had the
opportunity to showcase their work to the deputy
governor. It also inspired the prisoners to repaint
the rest of the wing and deep clean it over 2 weeks -
instilling a sense of ownership of the space beyond
the project area.
Date: Wednesday 29th June
Time: 9.30am - 1pm
Itinerary: Tour of the prison led by
an Unlocked officer and MPO
followed by an informal lunch with
the officers to hear about their
experience
How to get there
HMP Brixton is located in Brixton,
South London.
Train: The nearest tube station is
Brixton, on the victoria line. The
prison is around 1 mile from here. A
bus is available.
Bus: There are a number of bus
routes that go to the prison.
Connecting around Elephant and
Castle, Euston, and Liverpool street.
Car: There is access to the prison
driving via the A23, there is a car
park, however parking is limited at
the prison.
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