HMP High Down: creating hope, opportunity and profile. Guest Blog.
HMP High Down organises many positive initiatives we seldom hear about in the news. The prison partners with business and third sector groups including Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell on support activities of all kinds.
Richard Jackman is Business and Community Manager at HMP High Down near Banstead.
For the past two and a half years I’ve had the privilege of working as the Business and Community Engagement Manager at HMP High Down near Banstead, a prison supporting around 1,200 men.
My role is centred on creating hope, opportunity and raising the profile of what we do here.
I work with employers, charities and training providers and support organisations to help our residents build confidence, develop practical skills, and prepare for life beyond the prison gates. Recently Vicki our Citizens Advice partner attended the ‘Reducing reoffending meeting’ where all organisations who come into the prison explain their role, how they can help and better understand the breadth of services offered.
Our shared mission is simple: to give people the support and guidance they need to move forward and not return to custody.
Education Centre
High Down is home to a fantastic education centre where men can learn everything from painting and decorating to bricklaying, plastering, barbering, maths, English, business studies, railtrack training and much more. My job is to help make sure these skills translate into real chances and real change on release.
One of my proudest achievements has been leading the installation of an immersive suite – the first of its kind in a UK prison – a Virtual Reality‑style room without headsets that lets men safely experience real‑world environments in a powerful, practical way.
At High Down, we believe no one is defined by their past – only by the opportunities they’re given next.
That’s why partnerships with organisations like Citizens Advice are so important. Together, we can help men leave prison with confidence, stability, and a genuine chance to rebuild their lives.