Source · IMB Annual Report
Cookham Wood
AI-generated report summary HMP Cookham Wood, an adult male Category C prison, experienced a transition period from a YOI, with its population increasing to 135 by March 2026. While prisoners generally reported feeling safe with good time out of cell and staff interactions, significant challenges remain. These include erratic healthcare provision, chronically under-utilised purposeful activity due to shared services and staffing issues, delays in estate refurbishment, and concerns around resettlement, property, and complaints handling.
Year: 2026
Published: 4 Sep 2026
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 135
Key concerns
Positive findings
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 3 | — |
Positive findings
AI-generated summaryPrisoners have reported feeling safe. Time out of cell has consistently been good, averaging 5.5 hours daily, with very little violence. The prison is overall clean and tidy, with good food options including self-cooking. Family days are a highlight, well-managed with positive impact on morale. Reception and induction are smooth, with officers being welcoming and compassionate. The main houseblock is well-kept, and adjudications are infrequent and fair. Faith and pastoral support is good, and most officers maintain positive interactions and rapport with prisoners.
Key concerns
Delays in opening refurbished blocks (Cedar, Phoenix, sports hall) reducing purposeful activity and resettlement opportunities.
Source wording under review
Erratic healthcare provision, long waiting times for specialists (e.g., pain nurses), and issues with medication, compounded by shared contracts with HMP Rochester.
Source wording under review
Chronically under-utilised vocational training and purposeful activity facilities due to shared contracts and staffing pressures, leading to insufficient skill development for release.
Source wording under review
Staffing challenges including inadequate training for the transition from YOI to adult prison, loss of experienced staff, and some officers' reluctance to engage in key work.
Source wording under review
Inadequate reasonable adjustments for disabled prisoners and long delays in minor cell repairs.
Source wording under review
Frequent issues with lost property during transfers and delays in compensation.
Source wording under review
Significant delays in complaint responses and poor communication with prisoners.
Source wording under review
Resettlement failures, with some prisoners leaving unprepared (e.g., no ID, accommodation), leading to quick returns to custody and adjournments of parole hearings.
Source wording under review
Lack of a dedicated segregation unit, posing a future challenge as population increases.
Source wording under review
The IMB Board is under-complement and under-resourced, impacting its ability to monitor effectively.
Source wording under review
Related inspections & investigations
Trevor Brazier · Natural causes
Individual at Cookham Wood · Natural causes
Caden Stewart · State Custody related deaths | Child Death (from 2015)
Alex Kelly · State Custody related deaths
Other reports for Cookham Wood
Population 20
· Concerns
Population 80
· Concerns
Population 82
· Self-harm 35
· Concerns
Population 91
· Self-harm 29
· Concerns
Population 120
· Self-harm 108
· Concerns