Source · IMB Annual Report
Guys Marsh
Year: 2025
Published: 21 Apr 2026
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 490
Recommendations: 5
Key concerns
Positive findings
The HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) January 2025 unannounced inspection of HMP Guys Marsh reflected the Board’s concerns about safety, staff-prisoner relationships and purposeful activity. The Board recognised the Governor’s efforts to improve standards, reflected in HMIP’s November 2025 independent review of progress (IRP) findings of reduced violence, a more consistent regime and better staff and prisoner relationships, while agreeing that illicit drugs remain a serious threat to safety and stability.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Assaults on staff | 82 | 146 |
| Use of force | 650 | — |
Positive findings
The Board recognised the Governor’s efforts to improve standards, reflected in HMIP’s November 2025 independent review of progress (IRP) findings of reduced violence, a more consistent regime and better staff and prisoner relationships, while agreeing that illicit drugs remain a serious threat to safety and stability. The safety team was reinforced and became more focused. Prison workshops provided unaccredited qualifications tailored to specific job roles, significantly boosting employability.
Key concerns
- Illicit items (drugs, phones, etc) remained a serious threat.
- There were high levels of prisoners under the influence (UTI) of psychoactive substances, particularly in August.
- The physical environment remained unsuitable.
- Missed healthcare appointments and long waiting times.
- Delays in dental care.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | What concrete action is the Minister taking to resolve the resettlement barriers created by last-minute CAS2/CAS3 accommodation placements, which delay referrals to essential services and prevent prisoners from receiving effective employment preparation before release? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | When will enhanced gate security be installed at HMP Guys Marsh, as highlighted by HMIP’s November 2025 IRP? | HMPPS | |
| 3 | In our 2024 annual report, we asked why the Prison Service retained the current, outdated and expensive system whereby prisoners are charged by the minute for phone calls. When will the outdated per-minute prison phone charging system be replaced with fairer call plans? Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 4 | The Independent Review of Prison Officer Training reported its findings in September 2022. The report outlined several key recommendations for improving the training and development of prison officers, one of which was to redesign the training model, focusing on a 12-month programme. When will the new prison officer training programme finally be introduced? | HMPPS | |
| 5 | When will the system for social video calls be fit for purpose? | Governor / Director |
Other reports for Guys Marsh
Report details
- Establishment
- Guys Marsh
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2025
- Published
- 21 April 2026
- Responsible body
- HMP Guys Marsh Prison
- Recommendations
- 5
Population
| Population | 490 |
| Operational capacity | 5,112 |
Service providers
Drug and alcohol rehabilitation
Change, Grow, Live (CGL)
Education, library and vocational training
Milton Keynes College
Healthcare
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust