Bars are to be removed from prison windows at new jails because they are too ‘punitive and institutional.’

The move comes mid-way between two trials at prisons in England and Wales, aimed at creating a more ‘domestic’ environment.

In a bid to treat inmates with more respect, they could instead be called ‘men’ instead of prisoners and see their cells rebranded as ‘rooms.’

New prisons won’t have bars on the windows (Picture: Getty)

Experts admit it will not be ‘an easy-sell’ to the public but the aim is to help boost the rehabilitation of offenders.


Professor of criminology at Bath University, Yvonne Jewkes, said: ‘It’s about what difference can prisons make if they can rehabilitate offenders.

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‘It’s treating prisoners with trust, respect and dignity. It’s encouraging them to invest in themselves and their futures.



‘That’s not an easy sell to the general public or for ministers.

‘It’s about normalising the environment and making it less institutional.’

Prison blocks could also be renamed communities in a bid to treat prisoners with more respect (Picture: Getty)

A first study by Professor Jewkes in 2016 looked into whether there should be either horizontal or vertical bars on jail windows.

She said the bars were ‘highly symbolic’ and there was no actual reason for them because reinforced glass could be used for security.

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‘By the time I finished discussing the research with them, the plan was to have no bars in windows. There’s no reason for them. They are highly symbolic,’ she told the Daily Telegraph.

‘They go back to when there were no windows in cells and they had no glass in them. It’s rather behind the curve.’

Last night, the prison service confirmed that bars would be removed from future jails, saying they would improve security.

The prison service say glass is better than bars (Picture: Getty)

Now Professor Jewkes is conducting a second study, costing £600,000, to look at other ways to change the prison experience.

Her plan is being trialled at HMP Berwyn, which is the largest jail in England and Wales, and will soon house up to 2,100 Category C inmates.

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Under the proposals, prison blocks would be renamed ‘communities’ and holding cells rebranded as ‘waiting rooms.’

Offenders could also get a single room for greater ‘privacy and autonomy’ and that cell would now be called a ‘room.’

There is even a suggestion that inmates could be provided with laptops when they arrive and have facilities for tea and sandwiches.

Two studies are looking into changing the experience of prisoners in a bid to cut reoffending (Picture: Getty)

The prison service has said it would see the results of the study before implementing any lasting changes.

However, they confirmed the lack of bars in new jail windows.

A spokesman said: ‘Secure, sealed windows with toughened glass and narrow vents will be used in all cells in future prisons and is just one of the measures being put in place to help stop drugs and illicit mobile phones.

‘These windows are difficult to break, making them more effective in stopping prisoners from accessing contraband.’

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