Editing HM Prison Cookham Wood (section)

==History==
The prison was built in 1978, next to [[Rochester (HM Prison)|HMP Rochester]] and was named Cookham Wood [[Young Offenders Institution]]. The new prison was originally for young men, but its use was changed to meet the growing need for secure female accommodation at the time.

In 1998 the prison started accepting female juvenile offenders (aged 12–14), and was refurbished for that purpose. The costs involved with the refurbishment and the new facilities provided at the prison led to the media branding Cookham Wood "Britain's most controversial jail".{{cn|date=April 2022}}

In a 2003 report the [[Prison Reform Trust]] criticised Cookham Wood for being one of the most overcrowded women's prison in the UK. The report also highlighted serious drug misuse amongst inmates at the prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2896729.stm |title=UK &#124; England &#124; Crowded jail 'has drug problem' |publisher=BBC News |date=2003-03-28 |access-date=2013-04-12}}</ref> However, a 2005 report by [[Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons|His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons]] commended the prison for improving standards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4459518.stm |title=UK &#124; England &#124; Kent &#124; Prison shows 'marked improvement' |publisher=BBC News |date=2005-11-22 |access-date=2013-04-12}}</ref>

In 2007 the Prison Service announced that Cookham Wood would be converted to accept male young offenders. This was due to increased demand for places in men's prisons in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6919112.stm |title=UK &#124; England &#124; Kent &#124; Jail to become secure youth unit |publisher=BBC News |date=2007-07-27 |access-date=2013-04-12}}</ref> Cookham Wood formally started taking male prisoners during 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/aug/05/inspector-criticises-cookham-wood-prison|title = Youths found hiding in cells at Cookham Wood, says prisons inspector|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 4 August 2009}}</ref>