Source · IMB Annual Report
Long Lartin
Year: 2025
Published: 21 May 2026
Type: Prison · Cat A/B
Recommendations: 16
Key concerns
Positive findings
There was a promising start to the year with sufficient staff resources to provide a relatively stable regime, which is so important to prisoners. However by mid-year the prison was experiencing staff recruitment and retention problems. Well intentioned efforts to improve the prison and make Long Lartin a more humane and decent living environment for prisoners, are hampered by bureaucracy.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Self-harm incidents | 514 | 669 |
| Assaults on staff | 113 | 109 |
| Use of force | 581 | — |
| Drug finds | 1,358 | 1,421 |
Positive findings
Overall the prison is cleaner with accumulated waste being removed and grass being cut. Wing cleaners are well trained and support wings are very clean. The now established monthly prison council (PC) has been a positive and successful initiative. Family contact provision and facilities have improved.
Key concerns
Safety
Drones: incursions continue to deliver dangerous illicit items into the prison.
Safety
Security systems: much of the existing security systems technology is obsolete and unserviceable, increasing the vulnerability of prisoners and staff.
Estate/Conditions
Unsatisfactory management of infrastructure and maintenance: the Board remains concerned that the Minister’s department is not robustly managing the contract with Amey plc.
Estate/Conditions
Lack of in-cell sanitation on four wings
Staffing
Officer shortages
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drones: incursions continue to deliver dangerous illicit items into the prison. Funding has been agreed for physical and technological drone countermeasures at a number of prisons. When will Long Lartin receive the benefit of similar countermeasures? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | Security systems: much of the existing security systems technology is obsolete and unserviceable, increasing the vulnerability of prisoners and staff. Funding for a new comprehensive surveillance system has been approved by Government but is unlikely to be installed and commissioned until 2028. Will the Minister bring this date forward? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 | Unsatisfactory management of infrastructure and maintenance: the Board remains concerned that the Minister’s department is not robustly managing the contract with Amey plc. What further action is his department taking to restore and maintain the fabric and infrastructure of the prison to a decent standard? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 4 | Lack of in-cell sanitation on four wings: the Board welcomes the Minister’s assurance that a proposal for estate investment has been submitted to install in-cell sanitation across all wings. Will the Minister provide an update on this process? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 5 | Officer shortages: how is the Minister raising the profile of this important role to attract suitable applicants to the Prison Service? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 6 | Drones: incursions continue to deliver dangerous illicit items into the prison. Government funding has been approved to address the problem. Will the Prison Service confirm that funding for preventative measures will be made available to Long Lartin? | HMPPS | |
| 7 | Security Systems: it is understood that Government has approved the funding for a modern surveillance system. Can the Prison Service provide information on progress with the tender and appointment of a contractor? | HMPPS | |
| 8 | Prison infrastructure, maintenance and projects: to which building and maintenance projects has funding been allocated in the next three years? When will the building of a new kitchen commence and has a new property storage facility been approved? | HMPPS | |
| 9 | Prison work contracts: repeat question from 2024. What action is the Prison Service taking to secure quality work contracts in the LTHSE? Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 10 | Officer shortages: how is the Prison Service going to improve selection, training and retention of officers in the LTHSE? | HMPPS | |
| 11 | Security systems: electronic security protection does not meet the specification for a high security prison. Pending the installation of a new security system, what is the plan to maintain security at an acceptable level? | Governor / Director | |
| 12 | Time out of cell: until staff resources improve, what measures can be taken to limit the time prisoners are locked up and to enable them to engage in more purposeful activities? How will the prison help mitigate the negative impact on prisoners of the education budget cuts? | Governor / Director | |
| 13 | Officer shortages: how has the Governor used the cost savings accrued by a reduced staff payroll to mitigate the negative impact on both prisoners and staff? | Governor / Director | |
| 14 | Prison maintenance: the Governor has acknowledged that he is a dissatisfied client of Amey. Will he now request executive responsibility for ensuring that the contractor fulfils its contractual obligations to the prison? | Governor / Director | |
| 15 | Officer training: what plans are in place for in-prison training to improve new officers' confidence and capability to deal with and support prisoners and to train all officers in substance misuse and mental health awareness? | Governor / Director | |
| 16 | Management of property: what further measures are being taken to improve the management of prisoners’ property and to address the shortage of storage space? | Governor / Director |
Related inspections & investigations
15 Feb 2026
HMIP · Announced
30 Sep 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 2
· Respect 2
· Activity 2
· Release 3
5 Dec 2022
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 2
· Respect 2
· Activity 1
· Release 2
5 May 2021
PFD
Richard Ormond · State Custody related deaths | Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Other reports for Long Lartin
Report details
- Establishment
- Long Lartin
- Type
- Prison · Cat A/B
- Report year
- 2025
- Published
- 21 May 2026
- Responsible body
- HMP Long Lartin
- Recommendations
- 16
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 1 — Serious concern
Population
| Operational capacity | 537 |
Service providers
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group (PPG)