G4S are a private company that operate five UK prisons for the Ministry of Justice's National Offender Management Service.
They run:
HMP Altcourse in Liverpool was the first private finance initiative (PFI) prison to be awarded to the private sector. It is a category ‘B’ prison that holds 1288 young offenders and adult males sentenced and remanded.
HMP Birmingham, Winson Green, is a category 'B' local prison located near the centre of Birmingham. The prison holds 1450 remanded and sentenced adult males. A majority of the prison is Victorian, built in 1849 but in 2003 underwent a major investment programme to extend and modernise the facilities. HMP Birmingham is the first public sector prison to be privatised.
HMP Oakwood became operational in April 2012. When it reaches capacity it will be one of the largest prisons in England and Wales, providing places for up to 1,605 Category C male prisoners. It is located next to the existing HMP Featherstone and HMP Brinsford near Wolverhampton. The prison is expected to be at full capacity by autumn 2012.
HMP & YOI Parc in Bridgend, South Wales was the first private prison to open its doors under the Governments PFI project. Is a category ‘B’ local prison. The prison holds 1474 sentenced and remanded adults and young offenders (18-21). In addition, there is a separate Young Persons Unit that can accommodate 64 young people (15-18).
HMP Rye Hill near Rugby, is a category ‘B’ training prison that holds 660 sentenced males adults, which includes a separate purpose designed unit for 150 vulnerable prisoners which has its own regime and facilities.
G4S are also responsible for running the visitors services at HMP Rye Hill:
'At HMP Rye Hill we understand that it is constructive for prisoners and their family and friends to have the opportunity to retain close relationships and family ties whilst in our custody. We realise that prisons can be intimidating places for visitors who have never experienced the visiting process and particularly stressful and exhausting for young children who accompany their parents when undergoing the necessary entry and exit procedures.
We therefore aim to ensure that all visits to HMP Rye Hill are conducted in a professional yet relaxed atmosphere and that all visitors are treated courteously and politely.'
