Innovative new water control system will keep prison cell and showers clean and hygienic
Inmates and prison staff at the category B Lewes Prison will benefit from an innovative new toilet and washroom control system from next month, which will keep their washing and toilet facilities clean and hygienic. Some 180 cells in a new £multi-million cell block developed in the East Sussex prison, have been installed with state-of-the-art water system remote controls.
The new system enables Lewes prison staff to control water flows to hygiene and sanitation facilities in two cells from one simple unit; it saves water, is more flexible and more hygienic than traditional control methods.
The control unit is programmable and enables cell WCs to be flushed remotely by a prison officer from outside the cell. This has the dual effect of improving hygiene and to discouraging the storage of contraband in the toilet system. Other sanitaryware, such as showers and basins, can also be cycled remotely to prevent the incubation of bacteria etc.
The WDC200 system has been developed by Wiltshire-based secure sanitation specialist Wallgate, which produces a wide range of toilet and washroom systems for secure environments.
Benefits of the WDC200 system at HMP Lewes include:
* Programmable remote control of two cells from one 8 channel unit - controlling two toilets, two showers and four taps;
* Reduced plumbing and wiring installation costs through simple 'Plug and Play' technology;
* Compatible with all forms of flushing methods;
* Long life-time and low maintenance costs;
* Automatic maintenance cycle to avoid water stagnation;
* Water saving dual flush option to meet environmental BREEAM requirements;
* Lockout facility to avoid misuse and prevent vandalism.
The installation of the 90 WDC200 units in the new cells at HM Prison Lewes (for whom the main contractor is Keir) is the first of its type by Wallgate in the UK prison service.
HMP Lewes is a Victorian-built building dating from 1853. The prison has a population of 558 prisoners, consisting predominantly of short term locally convicted men and male prisoners on remand from courts in East and West Sussex.
Since the Lewes Prison contract was signed, Wallgate has taken hundreds more orders of the WDC200 for the prison service, HM Courts Service, the immigration service, Police cells, secure mental health facilities and military detention centres.
Picture caption: Wallgate Sales Manager Mr Charles Drew outside Lewes Prison with one of the new WDC200 Control System boxes
T: 01722 744594
28th February 2008