Nottingham prison to unveil 'silent' cells for lags craving peace and quiet

New silent cells are music to the ears of cons craving some peace and quiet in the slammer.

Inmates who dislike constant loud music, shouting, swearing and singing are being offered “low sensory load” cells. They are away from the main landings on the seven wings at category B HMP , which holds 900-plus men.

Other jails are closely monitoring the scheme, which aims to improve behaviour by making more at ease. A source said: “You might expect noise to be an occupational hazard of prison life but there you go. Governors are increasingly mindful of prisoners’ welfare and if inmates can make a decent case for being sensitive to noise they can get one of the cells.”

READ MORE:

Lags can also apply to attend “calm” gym sessions to escape the grunting body-builders on each wing. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: “While these initiatives benefited only a limited number of prisoners, they were sensible, proactive adjustments.”

Mr Taylor’s report also welcomed the jail’s recent opening of a contemplation room. Mr Taylor said the jail was handling the problems thrown at it.

He said: “Overall Nottingham is a jail that is coping with the many challenges that it faces. But it remains a fragile institution that carries a lot of risk within its constantly churning population.”