Safety statistics
Incidents during reporting year
Positive findings
AI-generated summary
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
AI-generated summary
- 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
5 items · 1 repeated
Addressee: Ministry of Justice
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?
Source text verified
Recorded status:
Topic: Resettlement
Addressee: HMPPS
When will enhanced gate security be installed at HMP Guys Marsh, as highlighted by HMIP’s November 2025 IRP?
Source text verified
Recorded status:
Topic: Safety
Addressee: HMPPS
In our 2024 annual report, we asked why the Prison Service retained the current, outdated and expensive system whereby prisoners are charged by the minute for phone calls. When will the outdated per-minute prison phone charging system be replaced with fairer call plans?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
Source text verified
Recorded status:
Topic: Equality
Addressee: HMPPS
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?
Source text verified
Recorded status:
Topic: Staffing
Addressee: Governor / Director
When will the system for social video calls be fit for purpose?
Source text verified
Recorded status:
Topic: Regime
Other reports for Guys Marsh
2024
Published 11 Apr 2025
Population 483
· Concerns
2023
Published 10 Apr 2024
Population 500
· Concerns
2022
Published 25 Apr 2023
Population 491
· Self-harm 416
· Concerns
2021
Published 13 Apr 2022
Population 466
· Self-harm 294
· Concerns
2020
Published 31 Mar 2021
Population 400
· Concerns