Source · IMB Annual Report
Drake Hall
Year: 2025
Published: 17 Apr 2026
Type: Prison · Cat YOI
Key concerns
Positive findings
Drake Hall is a prison and young offender institution for women. As a closed prison, Drake Hall faces the same challenges found in other women’s establishments, including an increasingly complex population with poor physical and mental health. The prison population is increasingly complex and many of the women have poor physical and mental health and experience of trauma.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 1 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 716 | 782 |
| ACCT cases opened | 289 | 255 |
| Use of force | 113 | 74 |
Positive findings
From its observations, the Board believes the prison provides a generally safe environment in increasingly difficult circumstances. Members of the Board regularly observe constructive and positive relationships between staff and prisoners and so believe that the women are generally treated in a fair and humane manner. The work to resolve problems with administration of medicine is to be commended. The chaplaincy service provides exceptional service to the women.
Key concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
In relation to Richmond and Plymouth, the Board asks what the plan is for these buildings – keep them going at any cost, some form of replacement programme or is there no plan in place?
Mental Health
Repeated
Across the female estate an increasing number of women are experiencing crisis associated with serious mental illness. They need treatment in a specialist hospital setting.
Overcrowding
An increasingly complex group of women with more serious risk profiles are being transferred to a prison with no cellular accommodation.
Staffing
The staffing establishment was set at a time when the prison was very different than today. This situation needs to be addressed at a strategic level.
Other
Repeated
Property is a systemic problem across the prison services: digital solutions have proved effective in improving this situation.
Staffing
The Board is interested in the plan to increase the number and quality of keywork sessions.
Related inspections & investigations
Other reports for Drake Hall
Report details
- Establishment
- Drake Hall
- Type
- Prison · Cat YOI
- Report year
- 2025
- Published
- 17 April 2026
- Responsible body
- HMP Drake Hall
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 3 — Good
Population
| Operational capacity | 3,401 |