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Client Details Northumberland County Council County Hall Morpeth Northumberland NE61 2EF Tel 01670 533 000 Fax 01670 533 409 Mr Steve Stewart, CEO s.stewart@northumberland.gov.uk Project Team Site Manager Lee Downs Quantity Surveyor David Griffiths Architect Space Netherton Park Lounge Refurbishment Project Details The project involved the renovation of communal lounges and additional minor works, including building a new fire escape and new bathroom facilities, at the Netherton Park secure young offenders institute. Part of the brief was to fit high-durability corian seating in the lounge, chosen because it cannot be easily broken up, in order to minimise opportunities for self-harm and harming others among inmates. Challenges & Solutions • Working in a young offenders institute The project team needed to be aware at all times that they were working among bored, frustrated, angry, often disturbed young men with a history of crime and at a high risk of violence and self-harm. Tools, equipment and materials, staff vehicles and personal possessions had to be locked away when not in use, and when in use monitored at all times. • Design challenges The choice of materials and the fit-out design had to comply with regulations for the type of environment, which included being anti-ligature, anti-restraint and anti-vandal because of the high risk of inmates finding opportunities for self-harm or violence towards other inmates or wardens.