Source · IMB Annual Report
Leicester
Year: 2026
Published: 18 Jun 2026
Type: Prison · Cat local
Population: 325
Recommendations: 6
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Leicester, a busy local prison for adult men, continues to be well-led despite significant challenges from ageing infrastructure and a high prisoner turnover. While there have been welcome reductions in self-harm and violence, and no deaths in custody, key concerns persist regarding prisoner resettlement, accessible facilities, reduced purposeful activity due to funding cuts, and inadequate confidential interview spaces. Staffing levels are generally good, but key worker sessions have fallen, and support for foreign national prisoners and those with disabilities needs improvement.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | 0 |
| Self-harm incidents | 314 | 379 |
| ACCT cases opened | 309 | 265 |
| Prisoner assaults | 134 | 169 |
| Assaults on staff | 76 | 101 |
| Use of force | 548 | 639 |
| Drug finds | 266 | 89 |
Positive findings
The prison continues to be well led by an energetic new Governor and a senior management team. There has been a welcome 17% reduction in self-harm incidents, and fortunately, no deaths in custody. Good use of intelligence continues to intercept weapons, drugs, and mobile phones. There has been welcome investment in showers, and food is generally of a reasonable standard. The level of care demonstrated by CSU staff has been good, and many positive interactions between staff and prisoners were observed. The prison was fully staffed for much of the year with an increasingly experienced staff group, and monitoring of equality is good. Resettlement planning remains a real strength, with excellent links with employers.
Key concerns
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
Over the past year, 38% of men released from HMP Leicester had no accommodation to go to.
Equality/Diversity
Prisoners with mobility issues, including those who use wheelchairs, struggle to access showers on the main wing, while vulnerable prisoners on the Welford unit cannot access all facilities, as the lift has been out of action for many months.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The education budget was cut by 50% in October 2025, thereby reducing the number of activity spaces. This means that more men are now locked up for 22 hours per day, impacting their mental and physical health.
Safety
Repeated
The Board notes that there has been no progress in identifying space specifically dedicated for confidential interviews with new prisoners in reception, with the current area also used for staff facilities.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Board notes the significant reduction in the number of key work sessions delivered in 2025-2026 compared with the previous year, which averages about a third of the reduced target.
Equality/Diversity
Surveys of foreign nationals, who do not speak English as their first language, show they were more likely to feel isolated and experience incentives scheme warnings, often because they do not always fully understand what is expected of them.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Over the past year, 38% of men released from HMP Leicester had no accommodation to go to. What further action will the Minister take, working with other government departments, to address this issue and improve outcomes on release? In particular, given that CAS 3 supported accommodation in this region is consistently at full capacity, what plans does the Minister have to expand this provision to better meet demand?
Repeated
Response
The proportion of men releasee from prison without accommodation has increased from 33% in 2024-2025 to 38% in 2025-2026. |
Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | Prisoners with mobility issues, including those who use wheelchairs, struggle to access showers on the main wing, while vulnerable prisoners on the Welford unit cannot access all facilities, as the lift has been out of action for many months. What immediate steps will HMPPS take to ensure accessible shower facilities are provided for wheelchair users, and when exactly will the Welford unit lift be repaired so that full access for vulnerable prisoners is restored? | HMPPS | |
| 3 | The education budget was cut by 50% in October 2025, thereby reducing the number of activity spaces. This means that more men are now locked up for 22 hours per day, impacting their mental and physical health. What will HMPPS do to increase the number of workshop places and reduce the time men are locked up, and when will this happen? | HMPPS | |
| 4 |
The Board notes that there has been no progress in identifying space specifically dedicated for confidential interviews with new prisoners in reception, with the current area also used for staff facilities. Given how important it is for new prisoners to feel able to share sensitive information, what action will the Governor take to provide a suitable confidential space, and when will this be in place?
Repeated
Response
There remains no dedicated confidential interview room on reception for inducting new prisoners. |
Governor / Director | |
| 5 |
The Board notes the significant reduction in the number of key work sessions delivered in 2025-2026 compared with the previous year, which averages about a third of the reduced target. What immediate steps will the Governor take to increase the number of key work sessions and when will delivery return to acceptable levels?
Repeated
Response
The number of key work sessions remains low, averaging 32.2% of target sessions completed per week, down from 54% in the previous year. |
Governor / Director | |
| 6 | Surveys of foreign nationals, who do not speak English as their first language, show they were more likely to feel isolated and experience incentives scheme warnings, often because they do not always fully understand what is expected of them. What action will the Governor take to ensure interpreting and translation services are used consistently, and to prioritise this group for key work sessions so they can better understand expectations, feel less isolated and be treated fairly? | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Comp 1A (appeal) | 70 | 69 |
| Comp 1 (ordinary complaint) | 689 | 625 |
| Finance | 75 | 40 |
| Incentives scheme | 105 | — |
| Property | 105 | 110 |
| Residential | 197 | 184 |
| Staff | 90 | 111 |
Related inspections & investigations
13 Feb 2023
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 3
· Respect 3
· Activity 2
· Release 3
Other reports for Leicester
Report details
- Establishment
- Leicester
- Type
- Prison · Cat local
- Report year
- 2026
- Published
- 18 June 2026
- Responsible body
- HMP Leicester
- Recommendations
- 6
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 1 — Serious concern
Population
| Population | 325 |
| Operational capacity | 334 |
| Time out of cell | 6.5h/day |
Service providers
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group
Psychosocial support for substance misusers
NHS Inclusion