HMP North Sea Camp and Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce Lead the Way in Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Offenders with Business Networking Event

On 22nd March 2024 HMP North Sea Camp, a category D open prison nestled in the Lincolnshire Fens, reaffirmed its commitment to prisoner rehabilitation and community integration with its recent Networking Event, held in collaboration with the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce. This pioneering event, held on 22nd March, brought together local businesses, stakeholders, and community leaders to showcase the prison’s innovative approaches towards rehabilitation, education, and the successful reintegration of its prisoners.

The event highlighted HMP North Sea Camp’s role as a Resettlement Prison, dedicated to preparing prisoners for release—many of whom have been in custody for a significant duration. With a clear aim to equip prisoners with the necessary education and skills to secure employment upon release, thereby reducing reoffending rates, the prison has established itself as a beacon of hope and positive change.

Attendees were taken on a comprehensive tour of the facility, including its 200-acre farm. The farm, which boasts 200 breeding ewes, 20 breeding sows, 12 beef cattle, and a variety of traditional British rare breeds, exemplifies the prison’s commitment to sustainable living and self-sufficiency. Notably, the farm’s produce directly supplies the prison kitchen and local markets, highlighting a successful model of integrated agricultural practices.

The event also shone a light on the prison’s extensive gardening initiatives. With 50 polytunnels, 3 greenhouses, and a market garden, HMP North Sea Camp grows a vast array of vegetables and salad crops for its kitchens, alongside plants and flowers for its grounds. The establishment of a 2-acre orchard in 2022, part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, underlines the prison’s dedication to environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

Furthermore, HMP North Sea Camp’s ambitious tree-growing project, aligned with the government’s plan to significantly reduce the country’s carbon footprint, positions the prison as a key contributor to national reforestation efforts. Having grown 25,000 trees in 2022 and on course to grow 30,000 in 2023, the prison is at the forefront of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defence’s greening initiatives.

This networking event underscored the prison’s broader strategy to develop and upskill its prisoners, preparing them for successful societal reintegration. By fostering partnerships with local businesses interested in supporting this noble cause, HMP North Sea Camp is not only working towards reducing recidivism but also enriching the local economy and community.

“This event not only showcases the innovative approaches to prisoner rehabilitation but also highlights the potential for local businesses to play a significant role in supporting these efforts. We believe that through continued collaboration, we can encourage meaningful employment opportunities, drive local economic growth, and support the social reintegration of individuals. It’s a clear example of how businesses can contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive community.” – Simon Beardsley, CEO, Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce

About HMP North Sea Camp

HMP North Sea Camp is a male open (category D) prison that plays a pivotal role in the East Midlands prison estate. With a capacity of 300 prisoners, it focuses on the resettlement and rehabilitation of prisoners by providing them with necessary skills and education for employment post-release. Through its innovative programs in agriculture, environmental sustainability, and vocational training, HMP North Sea Camp is dedicated to preparing its prisoners for a positive return to society.

“We were delighted to have the opportunity to host the Chamber of Commerce event at North Sea Camp. We are always looking for ways to increase paid employment and volunteering opportunities for prisoners, and the event enabled us to show local businesses, stakeholders and community leaders the work we undertake towards the rehabilitation of prisoners, providing them with the education, qualifications and work skills, to enable them to contribute positively to society both whilst in custody and upon release.”—Mandy Lee, Acting Governor HMP North Sea Camp.