Inmates at Castington Young Offender Institution are taking advantage of a new garden which is being designed and built thanks to £30,000 from Offender Health – a joint Prison Service Unit and Department of Health initiative – and the support of The King's Fund's Enhancing the Healing Environment programme.

It is being built outside the health wing for the use of patients there and will bring colour to the corner of the grounds with flowers and sensory plants.

Linda Wynn, Northumberland Care Trust's acting clinical team leader of the healthcare department at Castington, said: "This is a fantastic addition for the prison as we don't have a garden area here so this space will give the patients in the health wing an opportunity to get fresh air in a beautiful space.

"If someone is staying as a patient in the healthcare department for a while the garden is totally accessible for them and offers a little oasis. Staff looking after the trainees can also come and enjoy the space."

Sean Murray, operational manager for prison healthcare at Northumberland Care Trust, said: "This is an exciting project for both the staff and the trainees. The involvement of everyone in building the project will give a real sense of ownership to the trainees as well as improving each patient's experience of healthcare within a prison environment."

Building and maintaining the garden is part of the programme for prisoners who take part in gardening projects and trainess working towards vocational qualifications.

Landscape architect and award-winning garden designer Alan Capper has designed the master plan for the garden.

The garden will be officially opened by the Duchess of Northumberland by the end of this year.