Fewell Engineering is a bespoke metalworking company who manufacture and fit security metalwork throughout the prison service estate. From their High Wycombe works they manufacture window grilles, concept 2005 windows, cell doors, IDTS hatches, security gates, safety netting, dispensary hatches, dirty protest cell doors & windows plus a large range of custom metalwork solutions for the custody sector. 70% of their production is directly for the Prison Service and Police Custody suite work is currently being tendered for.

Paul Fewell started the Company in 2009 by bringing together the staff made redundant when a local engineering company failed. Since then the company has grown and successfully completed substantial work for directly to the Prison Service or Main Contractors , along with supplying bespoke metalwork to stationary and education suppliers and a pyrotechnics company! All of this against the backdrop of the recession and subsequent lower government spending.
The Custodial Review spoke with Paul to find out how he has achieved all this in such a short space of time. Firstly I asked him about some of the more challenging contracts that have been completed.

CR    the Custodial Review
PF    Paul Fewell   
CR    What was the bespoke solution you manufactured for HMYOI Lancaster farms and why was it necessary?
PF    The cell windows at the YOI needed altering to prevent contraband from being passed from one cell to another. So the opening part of the cell window had to be replaced by a ventilation duct.  To achieve this we visited the Lancaster to measure up the windows and to check the specification that had been issued by HM Prison Service. Then we manufactured a bespoke window ventilation solution from sheet metal so that the prison works dept could install them. This solution incorporated the ability for the cell occupant to alter the amount of fresh air the system would allow to enter, however the alteration completely stopped the passing of contraband between the cells. The option to upgrade all the 200 windows to the Concept 2005 specification was not available due to the recent budget cuts, so this alteration was carried out to achieve the desired result at a much lower cost.

CR    What was the Safer Cell work that your company did in HMP Parkhurst?
PF    We supplied and fitted Concept 2005 cell windows, and upgraded the cell doors with anti -ligature strips to ensure they were not able to be used for self harm. Where we could we upgraded the doors, however some were not suitable and so we fabricated and installed new ones. We also manufactured and fitted the shrouding that was required to box in any exposed pipe work and services. This is particularly complicated work as each piece is different and so requires custom fabrication.

CR    This is complex and skilful work, what is the background to its completion? What skill levels and experience does your staff have and how many do you employ?
PF    The background is that we are approved by the Prison Service for this type of work. We have a workforce of 20 that actually do the fabrication and fitting and these people are the reason why we have been so successful.  At the top of the company tree are a group of professionals with many years of experience behind them. They include Mike Walters who is the Operations Director and has 30 years experience in the design, manufacture and installation of security metalwork in HM Prisons. Peter Bristow is the workshop General Manager and has been involved in the manufacture of Prison metalwork for 12 years. He also has a 40 years experience in manufacture of metalwork for a multitude of industries. The people who do the work in the prisons are Henry Davison, Colin Davison and Tony Thomas. These are our senior specialist site fitters; all of them have vast experience of installing security metalwork and a reputation with establishments and main contractors that is second to none. All of them have on the job experience of between 10 and 25 years. They are all cleared to work within prison establishments and know the rules, operating procedures and guidelines. Which is essential with this type of work.