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Background
The Prison Energy Project concept was developed against the
background of European, national and local targets for a reduction in energy
demand and carbon emissions, as well as those for a reduction in fuel poverty.
Prisoners and their families represent an economically disadvantaged group
within society, likely to be at risk of fuel poverty, with the associated
risks of poor health and debt.
Prison sites consume a great deal of energy because of their
size and constant usage pattern. Added to this, the increasing cost of energy
and the need to provide a cost-effective service point to a real need to use
energy as efficiently as possible. An initial feasibility study carried out
with Gloucester Prison confirmed the value of working closely with the prison
service to achieve a significant increase in energy awareness and energy
savings by promoting the local energy advice services.
The main programme of work was launched in September 2005.
Aims
The project aims to reduce carbon emissions through
establishing a holistic approach to increasing energy efficiency in UK prisons
and homes of both prison staff and prisoners’ families specifically in South
West England and Wales. It also aims to develop prisoners understanding of
sustainable energy for future citizenship and work opportunities. By working
with prisoners, their visitors and prison staff in several ways, this project
is delivering a range of solutions that are highly replicable across the
prison service and is an approach that could be replicated both nationally and
across Europe.
Activities
Energy Surveys
Each of the nine participating prisons received an on-site
energy survey to assess how energy is currently being used. Measures were
identified for consideration to help reduce consumption and were provided in a
report to the site manager of each prison. These recommendations will be
integrated into each prison’s energy policy and subsequent action plans.
Staff Awareness Training
A half day training course has been developed specifically for
prison staff. A part of this session uses the results from the energy surveys
to inform staff of the opportunities to make behavioral changes in order to
reduce energy consumption at work. The second section of the training
provides information and support for increasing home energy efficiency and
details measures that can be installed to significantly decrease energy costs
and carbon emissions.
City & Guilds Accredited Training
The feasibility study highlighted the importance when training
prisoners of ensuring that all courses are accredited so that prisoners can
obtain recognised qualifications. This helps them to develop life and work
skills that will increase their employability and reduce re-offending rates,
whilst taking account of the importance of sustainability. A new course has
been developed for this purpose called “Sustainable Energy Skills for Life and
Work”. This is a 15 hour course that provides prisoners with training on the
following areas:
Current issues in sustainable energy
Energy for individuals in the community
Opportunities in sustainable energy
Energy Surgeries
In partnership with seven local Energy Efficiency Advice
Centres, each participating prison is holding monthly energy surgeries where
trained advisors will provide energy efficiency advice and support to both
prison staff and prisoners’ visitors.
Funding
The prison energy project has been funded by the Energy Saving
Trust, Her Majesty’s Prison Service, Gloucestershire County Council, and
Cardiff City Council.
Partners
The project has been developed and is managed by Severn Wye
Energy Agency. Other contributing partners on the project are; South East
Wales Energy Agency; Bristol & Somerset Energy Efficiency Advice Centre;
Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre; Devon Energy Agency; Dorset Energy
Efficiency Advice Centre; Action 4 Employment; Strode College and City &
Guilds. |
