Source · IMB Annual Report
Deerbolt
Year: 2025
Published: 22 May 2026
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 470
Key concerns
Positive findings
The IMB at Deerbolt acknowledges the significant and ongoing challenges facing the Prison Service. The IMB remains concerned about the lack of meaningful rehabilitation at a time when drugs are widespread and the prison population is increasing and shifting towards an older demographic with different and often more complex needs. Overall, the IMB continues to be impressed by the high calibre of many officers in the establishment.
Positive findings
Deerbolt staff should be commended for their intelligence-gathering work and maintain a strong understanding of the population. The IMB has been encouraged by the management team’s understanding of prisoners’ need, their efforts to increase the quality and quantity of key worker sessions and their continued attempts to communicate effectively with those in their care. The IMB would like to praise Deerbolt staff in the care and separation unit (CSU) for their organization, compassion and commitment to prisoners with more complex needs. During this period, there have been improvements to the level and availability of education provision, contributing towards progressive rehabilitation.
Key concerns
Safety
Repeated
levels of violence remained high in the reporting period, consistent with what we have highlighted in previous reports
Safety
Deerbolt’s location brings a risk of contraband conveyance. With drones capable of travelling long distances using predetermined GPS coordinates, the associated safety risks cannot be ignored and, in the Board’s view, current counter-drone measures are not fit for purpose.
Education/Purposeful Activity
comparatively, Deerbolt is still impacted by short-notice cancellations to classes, and courses seem to be geared towards low-ability prisoners, with core skills to allow prisoners to read and write rather than actively engage higher learners or those keen to improve their skills for release.
Resettlement/Release
It was not uncommon in the reporting period for prisoners to have had limited contact with their offender managers, largely due to the staff having such high case-loads.
Healthcare
in the Board’s view, optician waiting times remain unacceptable, with delays in securing appointments and inconsistent communication about them.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
a move to half-day activity, alongside a notable increase in the average age of prisoners (YOI at just 11% of population), has, in our view, negatively affected the outcomes for the establishment.
Related inspections & investigations
3 Dec 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 2
· Respect 2
· Activity 1
· Release 3
Other reports for Deerbolt
Report details
- Establishment
- Deerbolt
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2025
- Published
- 22 May 2026
- Responsible body
- HMP Deerbolt
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 2 — Concern
Population
| Population | 470 |
| Operational capacity | 387 |
| CNA (designed for) | 529 89% |