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Kirkham

AI-generated report summary HMP Kirkham, a Category D open prison, maintained a population of 470 against a capacity of 699 during 2022. The Board reported low levels of violence and no deaths in custody, commending staff efforts to re-establish a workable regime post-Covid. Key concerns included the persistent transfer of unsuitable prisoners, the urgent need for CCTV and in-cell technology upgrades, and the curtailment of prisoner activities due to staff redeployments. Despite challenges, 100% of prisoners were accommodated on release, and 62% secured employment.

Year: 2022 Published: 20 Oct 2023 Type: Prison · Cat D Population: 470 Recommendations: 7 Key concerns Positive findings
Original IMB report page ↗ Ministerial response · 12 Dec 2023 ↗

Safety statistics

Incidents during reporting year
IndicatorThis yearPrevious
Deaths in custody0—
Self-harm incidents33
ACCT cases opened58
Prisoner assaults4—
Assaults on staff4—
Use of force3—
Drug finds318279

Positive findings

AI-generated summary
The Board commended the planning and careful implementation of a workable regime post-Covid, supported by positive and proactive staff. HMP Kirkham is considered a safe environment with low levels of violence and a positive approach to resettlement. Improvements were noted in addressing disability review recommendations and implementing an abscond strategy. The Board praised the cohesive SMT, the effective healthcare team, and the pivotal chaplaincy. Positively, 100% of prisoners were accommodated on release, and 62% secured employment post-release.

Key concerns

9 items
Safety Repeated Despite ministers’ assurances over the last five years that the categorisation of prisoners was being correctly implemented, a total of 187 prisoners were returned to closed conditions, mainly due to drugs and behaviour issues. Trust plays a big part in an open prison, and those requiring closer supervision need to be returned to closed conditions. This figure has increased from the previous year (149), despite population numbers remaining low.
Estate/Conditions The CCTV system is in need of an urgent upgrade.
Regime/Time Out of Cell The lack of in-cell technology and telephony is a contributing factor to the use of illicit mobile phones and all its ramifications, concerning the use of drugs, debt and bullying.
Staffing Whilst staffing is at a high level and the number of prisoners remains relatively low, various activities, including gym, C2W and the mail room, have been curtailed due to staff being redeployed to operational duties, such as escorts and checks on potential employers.
Regime/Time Out of Cell The disparity in prisoner pay between outworkers and those working in activities is a cause for concern, leading to discontent among the prisoners.
Estate/Conditions Improvements need to be made around adding ventilation in the bathrooms to reduce condensation. The showers that have not yet been refurbished need to also take priority. There are still recurring problems with the heating and hot water supplies to some billets.
Healthcare Waiting time for standard check-ups is 21 weeks
Other The volume of property received on transfer creates issues, and clearer guidance for property transfers between prisons would be well received to reduce angst amongst prisoners.
Substance Misuse Drug usage has decreased but is still a concern and an enduring problem across the north-west region in the closed and open estate.

Recommendations

7 items · 1 repeated

Recommendation 1

Addressee: Ministry of Justice

Despite ministers’ assurances over the last five years that the categorisation of prisoners was being correctly implemented, a total of 187 prisoners were returned to closed conditions, mainly due to drugs and behaviour issues. Trust plays a big part in an open prison, and those requiring closer supervision need to be returned to closed conditions. This figure has increased from the previous year (149), despite population numbers remaining low.

Repeated Source text verified

Government response
Intervention by the Secretary of State; The categorisation is being carried out correctly (but this has not solved the issue)

Recorded status:

Topic: Safety

Recommendation 2

Addressee: HMPPS

While a number of major projects (i.e. new timbers building, new gym and new concept building) have either been completed or are well advanced, the CCTV is in need of an urgent upgrade.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Estate

Recommendation 3

Addressee: HMPPS

The lack of in-cell technology and telephony is a contributing factor to the use of illicit mobile phones and all its ramifications, concerning the use of drugs, debt and bullying. Feedback suggests that category D prisons are at the bottom of the list where funding is concerned. Whilst the pressure on budgets is recognised, this is considered a short-sighted approach, as the rollout of in-cell telephony would go a long way to reducing the level of illicit phones and providing a significant and well-received benefit to the prisoners.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Regime

Recommendation 4

Addressee: Governor / Director

The IMB is concerned that, whilst staffing is at a high level and the number of prisoners remains relatively low, various activities, including gym, C2W and the mail room, have been curtailed due to staff being redeployed to operational duties, such as escorts and checks on potential employers.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Staffing

Recommendation 5

Addressee: Governor / Director

The disparity in prisoner pay between outworkers and those working in activities is a cause for concern. This is leading to issues within farms and gardens and timbers, resulting in discontent among the prisoners.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Regime

Recommendation 6

Addressee: HMPPS

It is recommended that prisoners are transferred with an overnight bag only, with remaining property delivered the following day or as soon as possible following transfer.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Other

Recommendation 7

Addressee: Governor / Director

Improvements need to be made around adding ventilation in the bathrooms to reduce condensation. The showers that have not yet been refurbished need to also take priority. There are still recurring problems with the heating and hot water supplies to some billets.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Estate

Applications to the IMB

CategoryCurrentPrevious
Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions 1 2
Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) 0 0
Discipline, including adjudications, incentives, sanctions 2 0
Equality 0 0
Finance, including pay, private monies, spends 2 0
Food and kitchens 0 0
Health, including physical, mental, social care 0 3
Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions 1 3
Miscellaneous, including complaints system 1 0
Property during transfer or in another establishment or location 7 4
Property within this establishment 0 1
Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell 2 1
Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, recategorisation 5 7
Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying 1 0
Transfers 0 0

Related inspections & investigations

28 Jul 2025 HMIP · IRP
9 Sep 2024 HMIP · Unannounced Safety 3 · Respect 2 · Activity 2 · Release 2
— PPO fatal incident Gary Bates
— PPO fatal incident Jamie Evans
— PPO fatal incident Steven Porter
23 Aug 2023 PPO fatal incident Ian Taylor · Natural causes
— PPO fatal incident Jason Stevens

Other reports for Kirkham

2025 Published 13 Jan 2026 Population 692 · Self-harm 7 · Concerns
2023 Published 12 Dec 2024 Population 696 · Self-harm 5 · Concerns
2021 Published 28 Apr 2022 Population 469 · Self-harm 3 · Concerns
2020 Published 23 Apr 2021 Population 553 · Self-harm 1 · Concerns