Severn Wye Energy Agency
Key Points
Raising awareness of energy efficiency benefits individuals as well as the prison organisation
Prisoners' families have much to gain from improved energy efficiency
Prison Energy Project
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
- To reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in prison sites and the homes of staff and offender families
- To develop offender understanding of sustainable energy issues in relation to future citizenship and employment
- To raise awareness of sustainable energy issues and the support available to prison staff and offender families through the domestic support services
- To develop a holistic approach that is replicable on a national and European scale
Activities
Energy Surveys
Each of the nine participating prisons received expert technical support to assess their energy needs. Annual consumption was assessed and an on-site energy survey was carried out to explore how energy is currently being used. These surveys provided an opportunity for site managers to see, first hand, the issues and to talk them through with SWEA's technical staff.
Key Outcomes
7 months on from the surveys at the Welsh sites a reduction of C02 emissions in the region of 257 TCO2 can be attributed to the project action
Energy management committees are established and engaged in taking forward survey recommendations across all the prison sites
Staff Awareness Training
A training course developed specifically for prison staff has been delivered in the participating sites. A part of this session uses the results from the relevant energy survey to inform the staff of the opportunities to make behavioural 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.
The training is being well received by staff and evaluations from attendees indicate a high level of response to the information provided.
Key Outcomes
97 HMPS staff have received training on relevant energy issues 100% state that it will positively affect their future actions and 49% of these that it will make a significant difference to their future actions
46% have been put in touch with EEAC services furthering the impact of the project on the domestic sector
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
Key Outcomes
A new qualification for the energy sector, accredited and available through City and Guilds
Two colleges and nineteen tutors fully prepared to deliver the course
In two months of pilot delivery at five establishments, 50 candidates have gained the qualification
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.
Key Outcomes
164 energy surgeries implemented
2602 people engaged with EEAC services
1164 completed Home Energy Checks
97 referrals to schemes
28 measures installed
Conclusion
The project has highlighted that a holistic approach that encompasses; engagement and awareness raising for management, staff training, and related educational provision for offenders as the optimum way of addressing the issues.
Next Steps
The project work has shown that a number of benefits could be provided through a more widespread delivery, a distinctive programme of work needs to be put in place that carries national recognition throughout HMPS.
Coordinator
Mike Brain - Head of Business Services
![[email]](site_graphics/icon_email.png){kind=icon} | mike |  |
![[phone]](site_graphics/icon_phone.png){kind=icon} | 01594 545367 | |
Related Projects
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.