Source · IMB Annual Report
Cardiff IMB
Year: 2025
Published: 30 Jan 2026
Type: Prison · Cat B
Recommendations: 10
Key concerns
Positive findings
Overall, HMP Cardiff has seen positive developments in safety, with significant reductions in self-harm and use of force incidents, and successful digital platform implementation. However, the prison continues to grapple with severe staffing shortages, particularly in healthcare, and the physical estate remains in poor condition, affecting prisoners with mobility issues and access to basic amenities. Concerns persist regarding delays in mental health transfers, lack of secure medication storage, and the underperformance of the key worker scheme.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 2 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 295 | 595 |
| ACCT cases opened | 649 | 629 |
| Prisoner assaults | 214 | 283 |
| Use of force | 641 | 852 |
Positive findings
The Board welcomes the significant 50% reduction in self-harm incidents (to 295) and the 25% decrease in use of force incidents (to 641), along with a 23% reduction in violence. They commend the progress in cell refurbishment, including the introduction of a 'reduced mobility cell'. The successful implementation of the Launchpad digital platform and high prisoner satisfaction are noted. Positive developments in healthcare include the completion of the Health and Social Care Needs Analysis and new pragmatic GP arrangements for medication reviews. The decision to retain the 'Here 2 Help' peer programme, strong performance in learning and skills, and the opening of a wellbeing centre are also highlighted.
Key concerns
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Board reiterates its concern, expressed last year, about out-of-area prisoners arriving at HMP Cardiff late, which delays the reception process.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The Board reiterates the concerns from previous reports about the prison's conditions, including the lack of out-of-cell space for eating; ongoing problems with heating and hot water; and inadequate accessibility for prisoners with mobility problems.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Board reiterates that the prison needs to prioritise the key worker scheme.
Staffing
Staffing has continued to be a major problem, especially the lack of availability of nurses.
Staffing
Background vetting of staff was still a problem in relation to recruitment and induction of staff.
Healthcare
Nursing staff were not profiled to attend reception until the afternoon, which had a direct impact on incoming prisoners and other members of staff.
Mental Health
The Board is concerned about the waiting lists for prisoners to access mental health services and, specifically, the reduction from seven to six psychiatric sessions per week towards the end of the reporting period.
Mental Health
The Board is still concerned about the time it takes for some prisoners to be transferred to a suitable mental health placement.
Mental Health
Mental health staffing levels were low compared to other similar prisons, as noted in the Health and Social Care Needs Assessment.
Estate/Conditions
The poor condition of the estate in some areas and the ongoing closure of buildings marked for demolition has affected the provision of learning and skills.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
The Board expresses its concern that HMP Cardiff is generally unsuitable for prisoners with a disability and/or mobility problems.
Complaints/Property
Complaints about lost prisoner property and the way prisoner property is dealt with have increased slightly, compared to the previous reporting period.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pa gamau fydd y Gweinidog yn eu cymryd ar unwaith i fynd i'r afael â'r oedi yn y broses archwilio, sy'n rhwystr sylweddol wrth recriwtio staff carchardai ac aelodau'r Bwrdd Monitro Annibynnol? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | Pryd fydd y Gweinidog yn codi gyda'r Swyddfa Gartref yr angen i ddatrys statws hawl i weithio staff carchardai, fel y gallant barhau i gael eu cyflogi gan y Gwasanaeth Carchardai? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 | Beth yw'r amserlen ar gyfer mynd i'r afael â chyflwr gwael rhannau o ystâd y carchar, cau parhaus yr adeiladau sydd wedi'u marcio ar gyfer eu dymchwel, a phroblemau parhaus gyda seilwaith sylfaenol fel gwresogi, dŵr poeth a ffonau? Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 4 | Sut gall Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a'r Fro weithio gyda Charchar Caerdydd a'r adran gofal iechyd i liniaru'r effaith y mae anfon carcharorion allan i'r ysbyty yn ei chael ar staffio’r carchar a'r drefn, o ystyried yr angen cynyddol am hebryngwyr? | NHS / Healthcare Provider | |
| 5 | Sut bydd y Bwrdd Iechyd yn sicrhau bod archwiliadau presgripsiynu yng Ngharchar Caerdydd yn cael eu datrys yn gyflym, o ystyried bod trefniant rhannu swydd y fferyllwyr yn atal archwiliadau yn y carchar? Repeated | NHS / Healthcare Provider | |
| 6 | Pa gamau fydd y Bwrdd Iechyd yn eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â'r oedi cyn i garcharorion gael gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl, gan gynnwys sesiynau seiciatrig, sy'n is o'u cymharu â chyfleusterau eraill, fel y nodwyd yn yr Asesiad o Anghenion Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol? Repeated | NHS / Healthcare Provider | |
| 7 | Sut bydd y carchar yn sicrhau bod lle storio y gellir ei gloi yn cael ei ddarparu i garcharorion sydd â meddyginiaeth ‘yn eu meddiant’ i helpu i leihau’r risg y bydd carcharorion eraill yn cael gafael ar feddyginiaeth heb ei bresgripsiynu? | Governor / Director | |
| 8 | Sut bydd y carchar yn gweithio gyda chyngor Caerdydd i sefydlu proses gofal cymdeithasol ffurfiol a chadarn, o ystyried nad oes un yn bodoli, fel yr amlygwyd yn yr Asesiad o Anghenion Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol? | Governor / Director | |
| 9 | Sut bydd y trafodaethau hyn yn cael eu datrys ddechrau 2026 i gefnogi system gweithwyr allweddol gwell yng Ngharchar Caerdydd. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 10 | Sut mae'r carchar yn bwriadu gwneud ymweliadau'n fwy cynhwysol i garcharorion ac ymwelwyr niwrowahanol? | Governor / Director |
Report details
- Establishment
- Cardiff IMB
- Type
- Prison · Cat B
- Report year
- 2025
- Published
- 30 January 2026
- Responsible body
- HM Prison Cardiff
- Recommendations
- 10
Population
| Operational capacity | 774 |
| CNA (designed for) | 534 |