Background – Biodiversity in the Prison Service
The Prison Service is responsible for managing the second largest government estate after the Ministry of Defence Estate. A wealth of wildlife lives around individual prison establishments, whether urban or rural, and there are several sites with national or local designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) on the prison estate. Under current legislation, the Service has an obligation to manage these sites sensitively to preserve the species richness of each site. Surveys have revealed that a number of nationally important species are found on the estate, such as dormice, otter and several species of bats. As a consequence of this the Prison Service has implemented its Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), which was launched on the 24th January 2005, supported by a 'Central Partnership'.
Statement of CommitmentIn September 2000 the Director General of the Prison Service and the Home Office Green Minister signed a statement of commitment to protect and promote biodiversity on the prison estate. In order to build on this statement of commitment the Prison Service agreed in January 2002 to implement a BAP and in March 2003, the Director General of the Prison Service signed a Statement of Action and a Strategy Statement on biodiversity to underpin the BAP.
It was agreed that the BAP would be implemented in 3 stages, stage 1 covering designated sites such as SSSIs, National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and stage 2 would cover sites of biodiversity significance and locally designated sites such as Sites of Nature Conservations Interest (SNCIs). Finally stage 3 would cover all urban and inner city prisons that have little land surrounding them, but may have species such as bats and bees.
Species & Habitat Protection on the Prison Estate
Several of our rural sites used to belong to the Ministry of Defence and some of them still have old bunkers and pillboxes from the Second World War, which when developed make excellent hibernation roosts for bats. We are working closely with the Bat Conservation Trust to protect and enhance these old bunkers and pillboxes for bats, and early signs show that bats have taken a keen interest.
Bats are only one of a number of species that the Prison Service is protecting, over 48 action plans now exist within the Prison Service Biodiversity Action Plan (PSBAP) for species and habitats. Another BAP species being protected is the Barn owl, and in partnership with the Hawk and Owl Trust and the Barn Owl Trust the Service is creating habitats and erecting nest boxes across its estate to enhance local populations.
As well as species protection the Service has identified over 14 different broad habitats on its estate, ranging from saltmarsh, ancient woodland, unimproved grasslands to rivers and lakes. These habitats also have lead partnerships such as the Ancient Tree Forum for our veteran and ancient woodlands, or the Environment Agency for our lakes, rivers and streams, all working with the Service to protect these valuable habitats.
The Prison Service Biodiversity Action PlanThe Prison Service Biodiversity Action Plan is being implemented in three stages. Stage 1 covers all six prison sites that are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Stage 2 covers the large number of prisons which are not SSSI but which may have features which make them important locally for biodiversity, such as areas of woodland or natural spaces within their grounds. Stage 3 covers urban or town –centre prisons that have little land surrounding them but may have species such as bats.
Target dates have been set for implementation of each stage. The dates are set out below.
The PSBAP is made up of many individual site Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) for individual prisons, which are developed through the setting up of a biodiversity committee at each establishment. Members of staff from relevant areas of the prison, as well as representatives from the Central Partnership organisations (see below), meet to discuss correct management of the site and to set targets and actions for the individual species and habitats found on the site. While Stage 1 sites have produced a more detailed Biodiversity Action Plan, Stage 2 and 3 sites will be responsible for producing a shorter Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP).
An important part of the PSBAP is the individual species and habitat action plans. These form the basis of the Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) for individual prisons which are developed.
Timetable for biodiversitySeptember 2000Martin Narey, the then Director General of the Prison Service, and Mike O’Brien, the then Home Office Green minister, signed a Statement of Commitment on Biodiversity.
January 2002It was agreed by the Environmental Policy Working Group that the Biodiversity Action Plan Stage 1 (1st Tranche) should proceed, formalising the work already being carried out in regard to the Service’s commitment and obligations under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and associated legislation.
June 2002A Biodiversity Action Plan Advisory Group was formed at a strategic level, to steer the implementation process of the Biodiversity Action Plan through all its stages. This group was formed from a “Central Partnership” from the following national bodies: English Nature, The Wildlife Trusts, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
March 2003The new Director General (Phil Wheatley) signed a Statement of Action and Strategy Statement supporting the implementation of the Prison Service Biodiversity Action Plan.
September 2003Work began on producing Stage 1 BAPs at 6 sites with statutory designation and nationally important status, such as Brasside Ponds SSSI at HMP Frankland and the SSSIs at HMP/YOI Prescoed.
December 2004All Stage 1 sites surveyed and BAPs implemented with action plans and targets for identified species and habitats.
By December 2006All Stage 2 sites that have biodiversity significance and local designations surveyed and BAPs or BMPs implemented with actions and targets for species and habitats agreed.
By December 2007All Stage 3 sites of biodiversity significance surveyed and management plans implemented with actions and targets for species and habitats agreed.
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