Inside Britain's cushiest new jail HMP Five Wells where Guv tells prisoners: 'Call me John'
Andrew Walker
Updated on March 16, 2026
LAGS at Britain’s cushiest prison stay in light, airy rooms with en suite bathrooms and no bars on the windows.
The word “cell” is banned and boss John McLaughlin tells cons to call him John not Guv.
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In return, they are known as residents rather than prisoners to help build their self-esteem.
Mr McLaughlin calls himself the prison director and says he is on first name terms with most.
Lags get a tablet for training and education at the new Category C HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough, Northants.
There are 24 workshops, including ones in bike mechanics and barbering, plus sports pitches, gyms and rugby lessons.
Touted as the jail of the future, it cost £253million and was officially unveiled yesterday. It will hold 1,700 male prisoners from serious violent offenders to those on shorter stays.
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Mr McLaughlin said its focus was on rehabilitating offenders so they could return to the community.
He added: “I want a prison that encourages and empowers men to be the best person they can be.”
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab denied the jail was a soft touch. And he said he did not care what terminology was used as long as the prison lowered reoffending rates.
He said: “If you come to a place like this with gyms, the skills education, you get a glimmer of the future of how your life could be. Then it is up to offenders to take that second chance. If they don’t they lose perks. That is what really matters.”
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