Source · Independent custody monitoring
IMB Annual Reports
811 annual reports from Independent Monitoring Boards covering 171 establishments. IMBs provide independent oversight of prisons, immigration removal centres, and secure training centres. Source: imb.org.uk.
811 reports
171 establishments
800 with key concerns
Annual reports
Rye Hill
Published 8 Aug 2025
· 840 prisoners
Self-harm: 235
Assaults: 27
AI-generated report summary HMP Rye Hill, a privately run Category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, successfully managed a significant expansion and recategorisation during the reporting year. The prison saw a considerable reduction in violence, self-harm, and use of force, alongside an 'outstanding' CQC rating for its healthcare provision. Key concerns persist regarding the ongoing injustice of IPP sentences, the complexities of the compassionate release process, and issues with prisoner property and hospital escort availability.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The lack of a centrally directed, long-term solution to the injustice of the IPP sentence and its impact on the mental health and wellbeing of affected prisoners.
- The need for government initiatives to facilitate national partnerships for employment for prisoners convicted of sexual offences (PCoSOs) and encourage appropriate employment opportunities on release.
- The compassionate release process remains unnecessarily difficult, with specific requirements leading to applications not being completed before death.
- The need for increased staff to avoid rationing hospital escorts, given the ageing population and high demand.
- Concerns regarding property lost on transfer, especially sensitive documentation, and the need for improved checking processes.
- Questions regarding the reliability of the prison body scanner and its impact on CSU placements.
- A sense of hopelessness among many IPP prisoners and a potential gap in one-to-one targeted support for more complex prisoners.
Ranby
Published 6 Aug 2025
Self-harm: 533
Assaults: 265
Staff assaults: 82
AI-generated report summary HMP Ranby, a Category C training prison, faced significant challenges in the reporting year, including a high level of violence, persistent issues with illicit substances, and severe overcrowding. The Board noted ongoing concerns regarding the deteriorating estate, the rising proportion of inexperienced staff, and significant delays in mental health transfers. Despite its training designation, the prison continues to house a high proportion of short-term resettlement prisoners who cannot access appropriate courses.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- High level of violence in the prison, including prisoner-on-prisoner assaults.
- Illicit substances continue to enter the prison, with high availability, including through drones and thrown packages.
- Significant delays in transferring prisoners with mental health issues from the CSU to appropriate facilities.
- Deteriorating estate condition, including shabby shower/toilet blocks, bedbug problems, and persistent overcrowding.
- Ongoing issues with loss or misplacement of prisoners' property during transfers, causing distress and frustration.
- HMP Ranby functions more as a resettlement prison (40%) than its designated Category C training role (60%), exacerbated by a high churn of short-term prisoners who cannot access rehabilitative courses.
- A rising proportion of inexperienced staff, lacking life skills and empathy for vulnerable prisoners, compounded by key workers being pulled from duties due to staff shortages.
- Persistent problems with the canteen system, including incorrect orders, delayed refunds, and inadequate contract management.
- Complaint forms (including IMB and IPCI ombudsman forms) have not been readily available on the house blocks despite repeated concerns raised.
- Healthcare staffing shortages contributing to delayed responses to prisoner complaints.
Humber
Published 5 Aug 2025
· 1,034 prisoners
Self-harm: 1,175
Assaults: 238
Staff assaults: 104
AI-generated report summary HMP Humber, a Category C resettlement prison, experienced significant challenges in 2024 due to high prisoner turnover and population pressures. While the Board commends management's efforts in maintaining safety and improving regime stability, issues persist concerning property loss, inadequate purposeful activity, and cell sharing. Healthcare provision is improving but faces space and recruitment challenges, while key worker schemes are compromised by staffing shortages.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The high level of 'short time to release' prisoners creates significant 'churn' pressure, impacting regime, education, employment, and the OMU.
- There are not enough education, skills or workplaces, leading to low attendance and too many prisoners being released to no fixed abode.
- Prisoner property loss during transfers remains an unacceptable and long-standing issue, exacerbated by increased churn.
- 256 prisoners are sharing cells designated for single occupancy, which the Board views as unsatisfactory or not decent.
- Key worker sessions are severely compromised by high prisoner turnover and staffing pressures, leading to low figures.
- Healthcare providers face additional workload from population turnover and drug/alcohol issues, with oversubscribed clinic space and some weak medicines management.
Yarl’s Wood IRC
Published 5 Aug 2025
· 388 prisoners
Self-harm: 57
Staff assaults: 7
AI-generated report summary Yarl's Wood IRC experienced a 40% increase in detainee throughput in 2024, operating close to its 444-person capacity. While staff are commended for humane treatment and effective incident management, concerns persist regarding high levels of violence, inappropriate detention of vulnerable individuals, and poor information sharing. The Board highlights issues with prolonged detention, slow casework progression, and the inappropriate use of the CSU for mental health cases, noting that staff recruitment and retention remain challenging.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Persistent high levels of violence, linked to the proportion of Time Served Foreign National Offenders (TSFNOs) and detainee frustration over prolonged detention.
- Inappropriate detention of vulnerable individuals with significant mental health problems, including their prolonged housing in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) due to a shortage of specialist beds and poor information sharing from prisons.
- Safeguarding concerns, including the shared CSU for male and female detainees and issues with visual access between male and female units leading to unwelcome comments.
- Lengthy and uncertain detention periods, especially for TSFNOs, contributing to detainee frustration, anger, and deteriorating mental health, compounded by slow casework progression and bail accommodation delays.
- Inconsistent application of rules and potentially inhumane treatment, such as threats of force for administrative transfers and routine handcuffing of detainees during hospital visits.
- Challenges in healthcare provision due to a lack of medical history for new arrivals, particularly from the prison estate, which delays essential medication and assessment.
Isle of Wight
Published 1 Aug 2025
· 951 prisoners
Self-harm: 911
Assaults: 133
Staff assaults: 123
AI-generated report summary HMP Isle of Wight saw a less safe environment in 2024, with significant increases in assaults, self-harm, and use of force, largely attributed to rising drug availability and staffing pressures, especially among probation and mental health teams. Key concerns include a lack of secure hospital beds for mentally ill prisoners, long healthcare waiting times, and issues with the regime, including poor laundry facilities and food service. The Board highlights improvements in education attendance, neurodiversity support, and some aspects of reception and induction, while also noting repeated recommendations regarding mental health transfers and probation staffing remain unaddressed.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The prison is a less safe environment than last year for prisoners and staff, with significant increases in staff assaults and prisoner-on-prisoner violence.
- There is an increased availability of illicit drugs, particularly Spice, and consequential prisoner debt, which are major contributory factors to the increased violence.
- Equality appears to be of lower priority due to the unreplaced full-time equality manager role, impacting the timeliness of discrimination complaints.
- The prison faces considerable challenges with prisoners requiring mental health transfers to secure hospitals, highlighting a lack of sufficient beds.
- Staffing shortages and contract issues contribute to excessively long waiting times for GP and dental appointments.
- The chronic shortage of qualified probation officers persists, leading to delayed categorisations and unsustainable workloads.
- There is no robust system for identifying and assessing prisoner social care needs, especially for the increasing elderly population.
- The number of prisoners on open ACCT plans in the SARU is concerningly high, given the exceptional nature of such segregation.
- The lack of enhanced security gates at both sites facilitates the ingress of illicit items, contributing to safety issues.
- Workshops and family visit waiting facilities require urgent repair and funding.
- Many adjudications are procedurally incorrect or dismissed, indicating issues with the disciplinary process.
- Poor condition of food trolleys, issues with food temperature, portion control, and servery supervision negatively impact prisoner welfare.
- The central laundry has been out of operation since 2021, and there are ongoing problems with washing machines and dryers on wings.
Moorland
Published 31 Jul 2025
· 1,021 prisoners
Self-harm: 600
Assaults: 132
Staff assaults: 43
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Moorland faced significant pressures this year from a high turnover of prisoners and early release schemes, yet reception staff performed well. While positive developments include improved ACCT records, successful translation programs, and some regime liberalisations, the report highlights concerns over increased violence, self-harm, and use of force. Key areas for development include addressing overcrowding (single cells as doubles), improving healthcare quality and access, and enhancing rehabilitation and purposeful activity for prisoners, particularly for IPPs.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The continued use of small single cells as doubles, with barely screened toilets, raises concerns about dignity and humane treatment.
- Complaints regarding the quality, quantity, and ordering system of food are rising, with the food comments book often inaccessible.
- Prisoner-on-prisoner violence and self-harm incidents have increased, as have incidents where force was used.
- Preventing the availability of illicit items, especially drugs like Spice, remains a constant challenge, with a noticeable spike in 'under the influence' cases.
- The PPO has raised concerns about the quality of physical healthcare not being equivalent to community standards.
- There are delays in transferring PIN numbers for prisoners moving from private to public sector establishments, causing anxiety and impeding family contact.
- Inadequate bandwidth prevents the consistent deployment of body-worn video cameras.
- The amount of property lost during transfers, exacerbated by high prisoner churn, remains a significant problem.
- Limited specialised rehabilitation procedures are available for IPP prisoners, leading to persistent low optimism.
- Mental health waiting times of 5-6 months exclude many short-sentence prisoners from receiving necessary support.
- The amount of work available in workshops is reported to be lower than in the past, with instructors having to slow pace to occupy prisoners.
Morton Hall
Published 30 Jul 2025
· 351 prisoners
Self-harm: 66
Assaults: 32
Staff assaults: 6
AI-generated report summary HMP Morton Hall, a Category C prison for foreign national offenders, maintained a population of around 350 in 2024. The Board noted good staff-prisoner relationships, improved access to mental healthcare, and increasing educational and vocational opportunities. However, significant concerns included frequent breakdowns of kitchen and unit appliances, persistent issues with lost or delayed prisoner property transfers, and ongoing delays in Home Office processing for release. The Board also highlighted under-resourced purposeful activity in the segregation unit and the library, and a high number of unemployed prisoners.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Appliances in the main kitchens frequently break down, posing food safety risks and requiring upgrades.
- The transfer of prisoners' property between institutions remains problematic, with unacceptable amounts going missing or experiencing significant delays.
- Delays in Home Office processing for the Early Release Scheme and for prisoners beyond their conditional release date cause frustration and unnecessary pressure on the prison system.
- The library is under-resourced in staffing, leading to frequent closures and reduced service, hindering this essential rehabilitative function.
- A high number of prisoners are unemployed or jobseekers, and attendance at education and workshops is concerningly low.
- There is little purposeful activity and limited educational resources available in the Care and Separation Unit.
Leyhill
Published 29 Jul 2025
· 464 prisoners
Self-harm: 22
Assaults: 13
AI-generated report summary HMP Leyhill, a Category D open prison, is undergoing significant expansion to increase its operational capacity. While the IMB commends its focus on prisoner safety, humane treatment, and efforts in education and resettlement, it raises concerns regarding delayed parole for IPP prisoners, the lack of approved premises, and persistent issues with unreliable telephony. The Board emphasizes the need to maintain current standards during the expansion and address staffing and property transfer challenges.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Delay in mobile phone pilot scheme and lack of equivalent communication devices
- Lack of spaces in approved premises leading to delays in parole/release
- IPP prisoners remaining incarcerated beyond their indicative tariff dates
- Unreliability and regular failures of BT PIN phones
- Food budget not keeping pace with inflation
- Inefficiency and increased workload of Community Offender Managers (COMs) impacting resettlement
- Need to increase facilities and staffing levels proportionally to the proposed rise in operational capacity
- Property transfer issues and failure to apply volumetric limits consistently across establishments
- Increasing complaints involving intimidation and bullying of vulnerable prisoners
- Delay in providing an emergency call bell system in wings for less able and elderly prisoners
- ISFL drug testing failing to reflect local drugs of choice (Subutex and ketamine)
Liverpool
Published 28 Jul 2025
· 830 prisoners
Self-harm: 557
AI-generated report summary HMP Liverpool, a Category B reception prison, continued to improve in some areas under new leadership despite persistent staffing challenges. Concerns escalated regarding prisoner safety, including increased self-harm, violence, and use of force, alongside significant delays in mental health transfers and regime delivery. The prison also struggles with the entry of illicit items and maintenance issues with its Victorian infrastructure.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The constant struggle to find staff resources, leading to frequent regime cancellations and poor delivery of key worker contact.
- A significant increase in reported self-harm incidents (from 400 to 557), violence on both prisoners and staff, and use of force incidents (from 334 to 469).
- Failures in the use of body worn video cameras (BWVC) and an unreliable CCTV infrastructure, impacting monitoring and accountability.
- Frequent failure to deliver beyond minimum regime, resulting in prisoners being locked in cells for prolonged periods.
- The inhumane length of time prisoners with severe mental health issues are kept in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) awaiting appropriate hospital transfers.
- Outstanding prisoner complaints from other establishments, particularly regarding lost property during transfers, remain a persistent problem.
- The persistent and worsening problem of illicit items (drugs, mobile phones, weapons) entering the prison, despite vigilance.
- Significant delays in refurbishment works (G wing and new workshops) due to contractor liquidation, leaving 230 bedspaces unavailable and an uncertain timescale.
- Poor maintenance response times for the old building's infrastructure and electro-mechanical services, impacting security, safety, and decency.
Onley
Published 24 Jul 2025
· 737 prisoners
Self-harm: 393
Assaults: 126
Staff assaults: 60
AI-generated report summary HMP Onley, a Category C prison, experienced a challenging year with significant increases in violence and self-harm incidents. Key concerns include high levels of illicit substances, poor living conditions, and unacceptable waiting times for healthcare. Despite some positive developments in key worker delivery and resettlement initiatives, staffing shortages and backlogs in offender management continue to hinder progression.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- High levels of illicit substances and increased drone activity, impacting safety and security.
- Significant increases in violence and self-harm incidents, with a high number of prolific self-harmers.
- Poor and sub-standard living conditions, including cell windows, older cells, exercise yards, and inadequate laundry facilities.
- Unacceptable long waiting times for general practitioner and dental appointments, with an urgent need for dental chair replacement.
- Lack of prisoner engagement in meaningful activities and an inadequate number of workspaces.
- Persistent delays in vetting new staff appointees and significant backlogs in Offender Management System (OASys) completion and sentence planning.
- Ongoing issues with missing, mislaid, and delayed prisoner property, particularly during transfers.
Hull
Published 22 Jul 2025
AI-generated report summary HMP Hull, a Category B local prison and YOI, faced significant challenges in the reporting year, including a sharp rise in self-harm and assaults, and ongoing issues with overcrowding, vermin, and property transfers. The Board commended improvements in healthcare provision and the development of the industries unit, but expressed concern over national prison capacity, communication protocols, and probation staffing shortages. The Board's own monitoring capacity was severely restricted due to a low number of active members.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Inadequate capacity within the prison system, leading to double-celling in inadequate spaces and prisoners being held far from support networks.
- Lack of capital funding for enhanced gate security measures.
- Persistent significant issues with prisoners' property during transfers between establishments.
- Insufficient catering budget allocations, requiring the establishment to supplement from other budgets and prisoners to subsidise their diets.
- Significant resourcing challenges within the Probation Team, impacting support for prisoners pre- and post-release.
- Poor communication protocols from prison officers to the IMB regarding serious incidents and segregation reviews.
- Ongoing issues with vermin infestation, particularly in the Victorian section of the establishment.
- A sharp rise in incidents of self-harm and assaults on both prisoners and staff.
Thorn Cross
Published 18 Jul 2025
Self-harm: 0
Assaults: 4
Staff assaults: 0
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Thorn Cross maintains a safe and rehabilitative environment with positive staff-prisoner relationships and strong support for education and community employment. Despite these strengths, significant concerns include an inadequate kitchen, persistent issues with illicit items, and challenges in mental health engagement. Delays in infrastructure projects and restricted gym access during non-working hours also require urgent attention.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The kitchen is inadequate for the prison's size, impacting food quality, with a promised new kitchen repeatedly delayed.
- Illicit items, particularly steroids, continue to be found, contributing to a worrying rise in adjudications.
- Despite efforts, engagement with mental health services remains low, suggesting ongoing stigma or prioritisation of employment over mental wellbeing.
- Reduced gym access during evenings and weekends due to staffing limitations frustrates men, especially those engaged in community work.
- The new OMU building was demolished due to significant faults, leading to considerable delays and indicating a failure in building project monitoring.
- There is an increasing trend of men arriving at the prison without their essential medication.
Derwentside
Published 18 Jul 2025
· 55 prisoners
Self-harm: 113
AI-generated report summary The IMB report for Derwentside IRC highlights a generally safe environment and positive staff interactions despite significant staff churn and the planned re-roling of the centre. However, key concerns persist regarding the centre's remote location and poor communications infrastructure, contributing to inhumane treatment via long, disruptive journeys for detainees. While healthcare provision is praised, unacceptably long waits for Rule 35(3) assessments and reduced activity provision for wellbeing remain critical issues, alongside ongoing dissatisfaction with food and the lack of a detention time limit.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The unsuitable remote location and inadequate communications infrastructure, leading to inhumane and unequal treatment.
- The long and frequent disruptive journeys, often at night, causing anxiety and fear for vulnerable women.
- Continued detention of extremely vulnerable women, including those with serious mental health issues, and maintenance of detention after Rule 35(3) reports.
- Unacceptably long waiting times for Rule 35(3) assessments (up to 21 days).
- Frequent dissatisfaction with the variety, quality, and portion sizes of food provided.
- Deficiencies in the availability and consistent use of translation services and lack of progress on mobile phone reception/Wi-Fi calling.
- Reduced provision of activities for health and wellbeing, particularly for those with anxiety and mental health issues.
- The absence of a legal time limit for immigration detention.
Leeds
Published 17 Jul 2025
AI-generated report summary HMP Leeds, a local reception prison with an operational capacity of 1110, reported 8 deaths in custody during 2024, six of which were self-inflicted. Overcrowding, persistent staff shortages leading to regime curtailments, and significant delays in transferring prisoners with severe mental health issues were key concerns. Despite these challenges, the Board highlighted positive staff-prisoner relationships, efforts in drug rehabilitation, purposeful activity, and initiatives to maintain family contact.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The large number of self-inflicted deaths in custody continues to be a critical concern.
- ACCT document checks on prisoners at risk of self-harm and suicide may not have been accurately logged.
- Prisoners continue to share cramped cells, often with recurrent toilet defects, and experience extreme temperatures.
- Lack of clarity and progress for IPP prisoners remains a concern despite a fall in numbers.
- The large number of prisoners with severe mental health issues are not prioritised for transfer to appropriate facilities.
- The presence of illicit substances is a major concern, exacerbated by failed drug testing equipment and resulting regime curtailments due to staff shortages.
- Overcrowding creates pressure across all prison areas, impacting accommodation and resettlement outcomes for released prisoners.
Doncaster
Published 17 Jul 2025
East Sutton Park
Published 17 Jul 2025
Elmley
Published 17 Jul 2025
Askham Grange
Published 17 Jul 2025
Cardiff
Published 17 Jul 2025
Brinsford
Published 15 Jul 2025
· 529 prisoners
Self-harm: 400
Assaults: 484
Staff assaults: 8
AI-generated report summary HMP Brinsford, a resettlement prison for young men (18-22 with temporary extension to 29), operates at full capacity of 577, with an average population of 529. The report highlights improvements in self-harm reduction and healthcare provision, but raises significant concerns about low staffing levels impacting safety, the ongoing increase in violence, and the critical lack of purposeful activity places. There are also persistent issues with infrastructure, property management, and delays in transferring prisoners with severe mental health needs.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Low staffing levels impact safety of prisoners and staff.
- Violence, particularly gang-related incidents, continues to increase.
- Insufficient purposeful activity places, education, and training opportunities lead to prisoner frustration.
- Severe mental health needs are not met due to delays in transfer to secure hospitals.
- Persistent issues with property loss during transfers and poor condition of infrastructure (cells, heating, windows).
- The Crown Prosecution Service inadequately follows up and prosecutes assaults reported by the prison.
Garth
Published 11 Jul 2025
Self-harm: 612
AI-generated report summary HMP Garth, a Category B training prison, experienced a challenging year ending November 2024, marked by a 45% increase in violence and significant staffing shortages. These issues led to frequent regime changes, excessive prisoner time in cells, and difficulties in delivering purposeful activity. Key concerns include easy access to illicit drugs, the prolonged detention of mentally unwell prisoners in segregation, and the ongoing injustice faced by IPP prisoners, all compounded by critical issues in staff recruitment and retention and the deteriorating prison estate.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The significant increase in violence (45%) and the challenges of managing safety due to inexperienced staff.
- Easy access to drugs within the prison, evidenced by high positive random drug tests, and increasing illicit item delivery via drones.
- Frequent, unpredictable regime changes and prolonged periods of cell confinement directly caused by staff shortages, impacting purposeful activity and prisoner well-being.
- Persistent and critical issues with staff recruitment and retention, leading to high turnover, redeployment, and an inability to consistently deliver key work.
- The unacceptable duration of segregation for prisoners with severe mental health issues due to a lack of suitable alternative accommodation and overburdened mental health services.
- The ongoing injustice of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, which continue to severely impact a significant number of prisoners.
- The deteriorating prison estate, including leaking roofs (until late in the reporting year), poor ventilation, and inadequate healthcare waiting facilities, with funding gaps for necessary repairs.
- Major problems with the timely and complete transfer of prisoner property, leading to loss of vital documents and compensation claims.
Lindholme
Published 10 Jul 2025
· 946 prisoners
Self-harm: 755
Assaults: 225
Staff assaults: 141
AI-generated report summary HMP Lindholme, a Category C male training prison, faced significant challenges in the reporting year ending January 2025, largely due to a substantial ingress of illicit drugs, which led to increased violence and self-harm incidents. The prison's population of 946 was held in an establishment designed for 924, including 160 doubled-up cells. Key concerns include prisoner safety, the misuse of segregation as a sanctuary, and inadequate education and work provisions, impacting preparation for release.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The significant ingress of illicit drugs has profoundly negative effect on safety, leading to increased violence and self-harm.
- The prison is less safe for many prisoners and staff compared with the previous year, with prisoners increasingly seeking segregation as a sanctuary.
- The practice of "doubling up" cells designed for one continues.
- A high number of inexperienced staff contributes to a lack of knowledge in dealing with prisoner issues and an unwillingness to challenge unacceptable behaviour.
- Complaint forms are often not reaching the clerk or replies not reaching prisoners, eroding trust in the complaints process.
- Too few meaningful education and work courses are offered, inadequately preparing prisoners for release and contributing to boredom and drug misuse.
- The Board is concerned about the lack of options for senior managers when choosing the most appropriate location for a prisoner whilst awaiting assessment for transfer under the Mental Health Act, often resulting in prolonged stays in segregation.
Lancaster Farms
Published 9 Jul 2025
· 560 prisoners
Self-harm: 357
Assaults: 172
AI-generated report summary HMP Lancaster Farms, a Category C resettlement prison, continues to provide a largely safe environment for its 560 prisoners, with positive initiatives like the complex care unit and CrossFit program. However, significant concerns persist, particularly around healthcare provision, including long waiting times and issues with medication and data transparency. The Board also highlights problems with property management during transfers, a rise in prisoners on the restrictive basic regime, and continued challenges in placing prisoners with complex mental health needs in specialist facilities.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- High levels of self-harm among prisoners with complex mental health needs who cannot be transferred to specialist facilities.
- Occasional accommodation of prisoners in double cells with limited toilet screening or no toilet seats.
- Outstanding estate maintenance issues including poor ventilation, missing door screens, broken exercise equipment, and poor drainage.
- Shortages of basic bedding and clothing for new arrivals.
- Delays and lack of communication regarding prisoner complaints, especially those related to previous prisons.
- Poor handling and loss of prisoners' property, particularly during transfers, which is a national systemic issue.
- Sharp increase in healthcare applications and unacceptably long waiting times for non-urgent and specialist appointments.
- Issues with medication administration, including delays and men going without essential medication.
- Lack of transparency in healthcare performance data and complaints, coupled with a significant discrepancy in complaint response times between the prison and healthcare providers.
- Concerns about the attitude and empathy of some healthcare staff.
- Under-resourced chaplaincy team with staffing gaps.
- A significant rise in prisoners on the basic regime, which is very restrictive and poses mental health challenges.
- Inconsistent use of body-worn video cameras during use of force incidents.
Lewes
Published 8 Jul 2025
· 581 prisoners
Self-harm: 651
Assaults: 194
Staff assaults: 79
AI-generated report summary HMP Lewes saw improvements in its regime, leading to increased time out of cell and a fall in prisoner-on-prisoner violence. Healthcare provision also improved, with reduced waiting times for routine appointments. However, significant challenges persist with the prison's heating system, gaps in mental health services, and a worrying increase in self-harm and assaults on staff. The Board highlighted ongoing concerns regarding disproportionality in the use of force and adjudications against certain prisoner groups.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Persistent issues with the heating and hot water system, leading to unacceptably hot or cold conditions.
- Significant gaps in psychiatry provision, impacting mental health service delivery.
- Continuing delays for prisoners requiring transfer to secure mental health facilities.
- Increase in self-harm incidents, up by around one third over two years, despite a slowing rate of increase.
- Increase in assaults on staff (15%) and use of force incidents (25%), with disproportionality against young adults and ethnic minority prisoners.
- Fall in prisoner attendance at education since late 2024 following regime changes.
- Disappointment that plans to renew and expand CCTV collapsed, leaving some high-risk areas uncovered.
- Property remains the biggest category of prisoner complaint.
South and West short term holding facilities
Published 8 Jul 2025
· 441 prisoners
Self-harm: 0
Assaults: 0
Staff assaults: 0
AI-generated report summary This IMB report details monitoring of multiple Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) in the South and West region for the year ending January 2025. Key concerns include inconsistent access to detention records, inadequate healthcare arrangements, and persistent facility issues such as heating and hot water, alongside varied provision of hot food. While the Board notes positive engagement from Border Force staff and some improvements in record-keeping, it highlights areas requiring urgent attention to ensure humane treatment and effective oversight of detained individuals.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The IMB's access to detention records, especially at Poole and Cardiff, remains consistently inadequate, severely compromising effective monitoring.
- Border Force's lack of prompt responses to IMB questions and concerns from July to December 2024 prevented effective oversight.
- The absence of routine Use of Force statistics in monthly data returns prevents effective monitoring of this critical area.
- Persistent facility deficiencies include the absence of heating at Poole, frequent failures in providing hot water and soap at Portsmouth, and inadequate bedding storage at Bristol.
- The inability to consistently provide hot food and drinks at all sites, and for protracted periods at some (e.g., Portsmouth), was a concern, especially given potentially long detention periods.
- The expansion in passenger numbers at Bristol Airport will strain detention facility capacity, with no clear reassurance that this will be addressed.
- Deficiencies identified in Disability Access Reviews at all sites, even if not required to meet current regulations, are concerning.
- The arrangements for assessing and treating health conditions, particularly the withholding of medication, are deemed inadequate and pose potential health risks.
- Staffing levels, especially at Bristol Airport, are sometimes insufficient, leading to extended waits in less comfortable areas, with weekend flexibility still an issue.
- Children sometimes had to wait a considerable time for Social Services to attend, with the range of waiting times indicating room for improvement.
- Record-keeping quality, though showing some improvement, still frequently misses key information, hindering effective monitoring.
- Extended detention times frequently occur due to delays in arranging transport by Mitie Care & Custody or Clearsprings.
Low Newton
Published 3 Jul 2025
· 274 prisoners
Self-harm: 999
Assaults: 36
Staff assaults: 81
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Low Newton is a women's closed prison that has seen improvements in culture and regime under new leadership. While safety is prioritised, challenges remain with a high number of self-harm incidents and significant mental health needs among the population, often leading to the prison acting as a place of safety. Efforts are being made in purposeful activity, resettlement, and healthcare, with strong staff dedication noted.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The persistent issue of women with severe mental ill health being held in prison rather than suitable healthcare environments, causing significant disruption and resource strain.
- A substantial year-on-year increase in self-harm incidents that the Board wishes to see reversed.
- The need to capture and record every incident of use of force and violent assault, building on current progress.
- The ongoing challenge of short sentences preventing meaningful work and effective resettlement planning for some prisoners.
- The concern that some prisoners are still released without settled accommodation, often leading to recall.
- Lengthy waiting times for transfers of severely mentally ill prisoners to community mental health beds.
- Uncertainty regarding the future funding for two key NEPACS staff members providing crucial resettlement support.
South and East Short Term Holding Facilities (STHF)
Published 1 Jul 2025
AI-generated report summary The South and East IMB report highlights significant concerns regarding the inhumane conditions and inadequate facilities across its Short-Term Holding Facilities. Key issues include severe overcrowding, particularly at Luton and Stansted, where detainees, including vulnerable individuals and families, are held for extended periods without sufficient sleeping provision, privacy, natural light, or exercise areas. The Board also expressed disappointment over persistent maintenance problems, delayed responses to disability access reviews, and the routine, non-compliant use of handcuffs at Luton Airport.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Inhumane conditions and overcrowding in STHFs, with detainees often held for extended periods (over 24 hours/overnight) without adequate sleeping provision, privacy, natural light, or exercise areas, and limited hot food.
- Lack of privacy during inductions and medical consultations, particularly for sensitive personal information, and inadequate facilities for healthcare professionals.
- Persistent issues with the fabric and maintenance of facilities, including the dilapidated Port of Felixstowe STHF and non-compliance with disability access standards in both old and newly built facilities like 2 Ruskin Square.
- Failure to deliver on ministerial commitments regarding facility improvements at Gatwick North and Felixstowe.
- Routine and non-compliant use of handcuffs at Luton Airport during detainee escorts, despite concerns about individual risk assessments.
- Lengthy waiting times (16-17 hours) for Children’s Services to respond to requests for support for unaccompanied minors.
Huntercombe
Published 27 Jun 2025
· 491 prisoners
Self-harm: 63
Staff assaults: 40
AI-generated report summary HMP Huntercombe, a Category C prison for foreign national men, faced significant challenges in 2024, particularly regarding infrastructure issues like heating and hot water, a malfunctioning new kitchen, and inadequate healthcare accommodation. Despite improved staffing in healthcare and education, a surge in drug incidents and prisoner-on-staff assaults raised safety concerns. The rapid churn of the prisoner population due to early removal schemes impacted purposeful activity, resettlement, and offender management.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The level of illicit items and drugs entering the prison and the number of prisoners appearing to be under the influence of substances.
- The significant increase in prisoner-on-staff assaults, from 9 to 40 incidents, including three serious assaults.
- The ongoing issue of a failing central heating and hot water system, reported for the last five years, causing unreliable showers and anxiety.
- The new kitchen not functioning as intended due to contractor issues and expired warranties, with no new maintenance arrangement.
- One cell in the segregation unit being out of action for most of the year due to delays in replacement parts for the door.
- Persistent problems with property going missing during transfers, a lack of volumetric control between prisons, and unreliable handwritten property cards.
- The delay of over two years in providing new, suitable healthcare accommodation, leading to reduced care provision and inadequate clinical space for mental health services.
- Delayed mental health transfers, with some breaching the 28-day target timeframe.
Leicester
Published 24 Jun 2025
· 290 prisoners
Self-harm: 379
Assaults: 270
AI-generated report summary HMP Leicester, a busy local male prison, continues to be well-led despite the challenges of an aging Victorian estate and high prisoner turnover. The reporting year saw a positive 33% reduction in self-harm incidents and no deaths in custody, alongside effective intelligence work to intercept illicit items. However, concerns persist regarding an increase in violent incidents, significant delays in mental health transfers, a lack of accommodation for 33% of prisoners on release, and the persistent availability of drugs.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Delays in transferring seriously mentally ill prisoners to secure hospital settings and diversion from prison.
- A significant proportion of prisoners (33%) are released without arranged accommodation.
- Lack of suitable pathways and facilities for prisoners with severe dementia.
- Ineffective resettlement for men on repeated 14-day recalls.
- The persistent availability of illegal drugs within the prison, enabled in part by deteriorating cell windows facilitating drone deliveries.
Response to the 2023-24 HMP Cardiff IMB
Published 23 Jun 2025
AI-generated report summary This document provides the Minister's and HMPPS's response to HMP Cardiff's IMB annual report for the year ending August 2024. The Minister acknowledged a prisoner death and concerns about overcrowding, while commending positive staff-prisoner relationships, consistent purposeful activity, and strong charity links. HMPPS provided detailed responses to IMB-raised concerns regarding estate maintenance, mental health transfer delays, staff recruitment, and the future of peer support initiatives.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Overcrowding and its impact, including issues with cell sharing.
- The death of a prisoner by self-inflicted harm during the reporting year.
- Problems with heating and water systems, and inadequate funding for maintenance.
- Delays in transferring vulnerable mental health prisoners from the CSU to appropriate hospital care.
- Accessibility issues for disabled prisoners and lack of privacy with in-cell toilets.
- The impending end of funding for the "Here 2 Help" peer support and emotional resilience training project.
- Recruitment and diversity of staff from local ethnic minority communities.
Hindley
Published 20 Jun 2025
· 599 prisoners
Self-harm: 558
Assaults: 315
Staff assaults: 72
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Hindley, a Category C prison, operated at or near its 600 operational capacity throughout 2024, housing adult and young adult males. The Board noted some positives like improved healthcare provision and staff-prisoner relationships, particularly in wellbeing areas. However, significant concerns remain, primarily regarding rising violence, high drug availability, and self-harm incidents. Unacceptable staff absence led to extended lockdowns and a severe lack of purposeful activity, while the physical estate continues to be unfit for purpose with no plans for refurbishment.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Rising levels of violence, self-harm incidents, and use of force.
- The pervasive issue of drug availability, high positive MDT rates, and insufficient main gate security.
- Extended periods of lockdown (up to 23 hours per day) due to unacceptably high staff absence levels.
- A significant deficit in purposeful activity places, leaving many men idle and impacting their rehabilitation.
- Concerns regarding overcrowding and the poor condition of existing, often unfit-for-purpose, accommodation, exacerbated by plans for a three-tier system post-expansion.
- The ongoing situation of IPP prisoners held long beyond their tariff, impacting their mental health and hope for release.
Lowdham Grange
Published 18 Jun 2025
· 837 prisoners
Self-harm: 821
Assaults: 450
Staff assaults: 261
AI-generated report summary HMP Lowdham Grange has seen some safety improvements since HMPPS took over, but faces critical challenges including six deaths in custody, widespread drug availability with high positive test rates, and a significant increase in use of force. Healthcare provision remains a major concern due to chronic staffing shortages, lack of night cover, and long mental health transfer delays. Persistent under-resourcing in probation and psychology departments impacts prisoner progression and resettlement, while the regime continues to be hampered by staffing issues and reduced social visits.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Six deaths in custody and concerns about learning from previous Prevention of Future Deaths reports.
- Pervasive availability of illicit drugs, high positive MDT rates, and a marked increase in 'code blue' incidents posing significant safety risks.
- Major deficiencies in healthcare provision, including lack of leadership, severe staff shortages (especially mental health and night cover), and long waits for transfers and appointments.
- Significant increase in use of force and persistently high levels of assaults on staff, indicating ongoing safety challenges.
- Chronic understaffing and under-resourcing in probation and psychology departments, impacting rehabilitation, resettlement, and access to purposeful activity.
- Systemic failures in the prisoner complaints system, property management, and informing the IMB of serious incidents.
Exeter
Published 13 Jun 2025
Self-harm: 276
Assaults: 120
AI-generated report summary HMP Exeter continues efforts to improve living conditions and outcomes amidst significant challenges, including high prisoner turnover, an increasing remand population, and persistent issues with an aging estate and refurbishment delays. The prison has seen positive trends in reducing violence and self-harm incidents, and healthcare provision is improving despite staffing shortages. Key concerns remain around the unsuitability of temporary segregation facilities, illicit drug use, property loss, and the sustainability of safety improvements if additional funding is withdrawn.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Ongoing and overrunning refurbishment projects, particularly the continued closure of A wing and the unsuitability of the temporary Care and Separation Unit (CSU).
- Deteriorating prison fabric, specifically damp, mould, and plumbing issues in D wing.
- Persistent availability and illicit use of drugs within the prison.
- Staffing shortages in healthcare, leading to diversion of staff and impacts on patient engagement and complaint resolution.
- Inadequate preparation and support for prisoners released under early release schemes, and the lack of appropriate accommodation on release.
London short term holding facilities (STHF)
Published 12 Jun 2025
AI-generated report summary This report details the operations of London's Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) from February 2024 to January 2025. While positive aspects include safe environments, respectful staff interactions, and improved medical support, significant concerns persist. These include extended detention times in unsuitable conditions, particularly for children, lack of privacy, and inadequate access to medication and reliable translation services. The IMB makes recommendations to the Minister, UK Border Force/Home Office, and Mitie Care & Custody to address these systemic issues, many of which are recurring from previous reports.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Children experiencing extended waits in Controlled Waiting Areas (CWAs) without dedicated responsible adults or adequate facilities.
- Holding rooms not being equipped for stays exceeding 24 hours, leading to discomfort due to insufficient mattresses, blankets, and lack of natural light/fresh air.
- Persistent issues with temperature control in holding rooms at both London Heathrow and London City Airport.
- Lack of direct internet access for detainees, hindering communication and access to personal health information.
- Delays and unavailability of certain languages with The Big Word translation service, impacting inductions and communication.
- Detainees at London City Airport and Eaton House lacking access to their own prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
- Insufficient Border Force officers leading to unnecessarily extended periods of detention in CWAs and holding rooms.
- Continued absence of toilet seats in Terminal 5 and frequent unavailability of showers in other terminals.
- Delays in collection by Clearsprings for asylum seekers awaiting transfer to accommodation.
- Difficulty for detainees in accessing timely and effective legal advice through provided lists.
Northumberland
Published 6 Jun 2025
· 1,213 prisoners
AI-generated report summary HMP Northumberland, a Category C prison, experienced a challenging year due to RAAC issues impacting various areas, including education and reception, and contributing to spikes in self-harm and violence. Despite these challenges, the Board noted significant improvements in accommodation, healthcare provision, and progress in securing housing for prisoners on release. Key concerns remain around the inadequacy of mental health support and the effectiveness of education and vocational training in preparing prisoners for employment.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Inadequate mental health provision and slow access to support for prisoners.
- Destabilising impact of RAAC on prison safety, particularly regarding increased violence and self-harm, and disruption to education and workshops.
- Concerns over the effectiveness of initial assessment and the adequacy of education and training in preparing prisoners for employment upon release.
- Limited capacity in vocational workshops and the modest level of qualifications attainable.
- Long waiting times for optician appointments (16 weeks).
Full Sutton
Published 5 Jun 2025
· 577 prisoners
Self-harm: 494
Assaults: 52
Staff assaults: 80
AI-generated report summary HMP Full Sutton, a high-security prison, maintained a generally calm environment in 2024 despite significant challenges posed by daily staff shortages, which led to rotational lockdowns and impacted regime delivery. The report highlights a concerning increase in serious assaults on staff and self-harm incidents. New healthcare contracts resulted in an unacceptable deterioration in prisoner access to services, especially mental health, while insufficient work opportunities and delays in new workshops remained key issues.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Daily staff shortages and high sickness levels led to rotational lockdowns, limiting regime delivery and impacting services.
- There was a significant increase in serious assaults on staff and an overall rise in self-harm incidents.
- The segregation unit roll remained consistently high, restricting regime provision and creating transfer challenges.
- New healthcare contracts significantly hindered prisoners' access to services, particularly impacting mental health provision in segregation.
- Insufficient work and education opportunities persisted, exacerbated by delays in opening planned workshops.
- Concerns were raised regarding the training of new staff and their confidence in communicating with prisoners.
Deerbolt
Published 4 Jun 2025
· 500 prisoners
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Deerbolt, a Category C training and resettlement prison, faces significant challenges from an aging prisoner demographic and persistent staffing issues, impacting safety, regime delivery, and healthcare provision. Despite dedication from management and staff, levels of violence remain high, and a lack of meaningful activity contributes to drug use and self-harm. The IMB highlights a crucial need for increased financial support, a review of the staffing model, and adaptation of facilities and education to suit the changing population profile, as many previous concerns remain unaddressed.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Levels of violence remained high in the reporting period, whether this concerned serious prisoner-on-prisoners assaults or, indeed, prisoner assaults on staff.
- There is a lack of meaningful rehabilitation, despite stabilised staffing numbers, a concern repeated from the previous report.
- Turnover of newly enrolled staff and their competency in the role, coupled with a lack of professionalism and inability to lead prisoners, creates significant challenges.
- Communication with some prison staff is difficult, hindering basic information requests from the IMB.
- The interaction between staff and the wider prisoner population, particularly those not complying with the regime, is a concern.
- Deerbolt lacks suitable facilities to deal with many prisoners with complex needs.
- The physical healthcare team has struggled due to an increase in the age profile of prisoners and staffing challenges, leading to numerous complaints and instances of unaddressed threats to healthcare staff.
- Prisoners are often locked up for too long, contributing to mental health issues and drug use.
- The rapid increase in the average age of prisoners without a corresponding change in educational and rehabilitative offerings hinders meaningful progression.
- The prison continues to struggle with short-notice cancellations of classes due to staff shortages or incidents, a concern repeated from the previous report.
- There is a stark deficiency in the ability to allocate senior resident prison officers to each wing, and new staff lack sufficient 'prison craft' experience.
- The IMB was not sent key information about individuals in the segregation unit, use of special accommodation, and incentive scheme status, as details were removed from daily reports.
- Immense frustration exists over the loss of personal possessions during transfers, leading to compensation costs and resolution expenses.
- Substance misuse remains an ongoing problem, with multiple 'code blue' medical emergencies due to drug use.
- Furnishings in residential wings are often damaged or old and in poor repair.
- Complaints data is not robust, especially for healthcare, where complaints are known to be made but responses are not forthcoming.
- Maintenance issues plague industrial workshops, including electrical and heating failures, leading to closures and frustrated prisoners.
- The relative remoteness of Deerbolt remains an issue for visitors, particularly those relying on public transport, and the external visitors’ centre is a low priority for maintenance.
Isis
Published 3 Jun 2025
· 580 prisoners
Self-harm: 312
Assaults: 419
Staff assaults: 207
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Isis experienced a significant increase in violence in 2024, with both prisoner-on-prisoner and staff assaults rising, alongside a worrying over-representation of black prisoners in violence metrics and PAVA use. Key concerns include slow emergency cell bell response times, poor hygiene in living areas, and the holding of mentally unwell prisoners in segregation. Despite these challenges, there have been improvements in educational attainment and some healthcare attendance, though staffing shortages continue to impede a full regime and purposeful activity.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Violence, including prisoner-on-prisoner and staff assaults, increased markedly during the year.
- There is a disproportionate use of PAVA spray on black prisoners, who are also over-represented in violence metrics, with underlying causes unclear.
- Emergency cell bells are not being answered within the required five minutes, particularly during peak times, posing a safety risk.
- The general standard of cleanliness, especially in serveries, remains poor, with dirty food remains left overnight.
- Prisoners with serious mental health problems are held in the Segregation Unit for extended periods, awaiting transfer to specialist hospitals.
- Prisoners endure long periods locked in their cells, with those on separate regimes having very limited time out.
- Issues with prisoner property, particularly during transfer, continue to generate a high volume of complaints and IMB applications.
Kent Coast Short Term Holding Facilities (STHF)
Published 3 Jun 2025
Self-harm: 0
Assaults: 0
Staff assaults: 0
AI-generated report summary The IMB's annual report for Kent Coast STHF (Kent Intake Unit, Western Jet Foil, Manston, and Frontier House) highlights continuous operations processing a high volume of arrivals. While commending staff's empathetic approach and noting no self-harm or assault incidents, the Board raises significant concerns about privacy during interviews, inadequate isolation facilities, and insufficient information provided to detainees about their onward journey. It recommends improvements in communication, facility maintenance, and welfare provision for unaccompanied children.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The Board is concerned that induction interviews at KIU are not held privately, impacting privacy for sensitive questions like modern slavery and health issues, especially for children.
- The isolation units at WJF are considered inadequate, inappropriate, and unsatisfactory, with one unit lacking a window and fresh air, a concern also noted by HMIP as "bleak." The hygiene of wooden benches in isolation units is also questioned.
- Detained individuals still lack sufficient information about their "process journey," including where they will be taken and for how long, adversely affecting their welfare.
- Unaccompanied children are sometimes subjected to initial age decision interviews during night hours, leading to them resting on wooden benches overnight instead of being properly rested before interviews.
- Repairs across facilities, such as those for the flooding showers at KIU, are often slow and inadequate, with delays attributed to Home Office approvals.
- The provision of visual information on screens for non-literate individuals needs improvement, as information is often only in written format.
- Cleaning standards for various facilities, particularly when busy, need more consistent high levels of service to ensure hygiene in bathrooms and other areas.
- Overcrowding can lead to individuals sleeping in close proximity on floor mats, with inadequate recreational seating in the barracks (3-4 chairs for 12 people).
- HMIP noted that some welfare interviews with unaccompanied children took place without an appropriate adult, and safeguarding issues were not sufficiently explored, with necessary referrals not always made. Children suspected of having scabies were reported to be freely mixing with others at KIU.
Kirklevington Grange
Published 30 May 2025
· 200 prisoners
Self-harm: 0
Assaults: 0
Staff assaults: 0
AI-generated report summary HMP Kirklevington Grange is a Category D open prison that performs well across key areas, including safety, healthcare, and resettlement, as evidenced by 'good' HMIP ratings and strong staff-prisoner relationships. Despite positive outcomes in education and employment preparation, the Board highlights ongoing concerns regarding a lack of progress on new accommodation units and persistent issues with property transfers. The prison continues to manage population pressures and policy changes while striving to provide a constructive environment for release preparation.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- There is no visible progress on the development of replacement accommodation units under the rapid development cell programme (RDCS).
- Issues with prisoners' property being lost or mislaid on transfer between establishments continue to be a national problem.
- Funding and budgets remain a concern, with a recommendation for more local purchasing autonomy.
- The prison continues to experience bed-bug infestations despite ongoing efforts.
- Support sought for two Jewish prisoners remains outstanding.
- Doubling up in the induction block is perceived as a regressive step by prisoners.
- Government policies are undermining successes in prisoner employment, with men having insufficient time to benefit from opportunities.
Holme House
Published 29 May 2025
· 1,133 prisoners
Self-harm: 928
Assaults: 324
Staff assaults: 90
AI-generated report summary HMP Holme House operated as a Category C prison in 2024, with plans to reclassify to Category B in 2025, a transition observed to be managed with significant staff commitment despite some disruptions. The Board noted generally good healthcare, improved food quality, and successful drug recovery programmes. However, significant concerns were raised regarding increased self-harm and violence, ongoing staffing shortages impacting key worker support, and a lack of educational achievement.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Ongoing challenges with staff recruitment and retention, impacting key worker provision and overall morale.
- Increased incidents of self-harm and violence among prisoners, exacerbated by drug misuse and debt.
- Loss of prisoner property during transfers causing significant distress.
- Lack of educational qualifications and reduced attainment over five years.
- Delays in funding and execution of major capital works, particularly to the roofs.
- Prisoner wages not keeping pace with rising canteen costs.
- Potential detrimental effects of the prison's re-role on prisoner wellbeing and progression.
Gartree
Published 28 May 2025
· 558 prisoners
Self-harm: 288
Assaults: 75
Staff assaults: 55
AI-generated report summary HMP Gartree, a Category B prison, maintains an ordered environment despite an aging infrastructure. Key concerns include deteriorating buildings, inadequate healthcare provision leading to increased complaints, and persistent issues with drug influx and obscured observation panels. The Board also highlights insufficient purposeful activity and support for rehabilitation, alongside challenges in mental health service access and long-term segregation.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The ageing fabric and building infrastructure at Gartree, particularly issues with heating, leaking roofs, and broken showers.
- Healthcare provision generally, and lack of response to prisoners’ complaints about this service.
- Inadequate access to mental health services and transfers to secure hospitals.
- The continued influx of drugs and illicit items.
- Prisoners being allowed to keep observation panels obscured, which is not challenged by staff.
- Inadequate facilities for some of the older and/or disabled prisoners.
- Access to truly purposeful activities for all.
- The support and help available to rehabilitate prisoners prior to release.
- Long periods of segregation for prisoners with complex needs due to lack of suitable alternative accommodation.
Frankland
Published 27 May 2025
Assaults: 101
Staff assaults: 59
AI-generated report summary HMP Frankland is a high-security prison for adult convicted men, operating close to its capacity of 846. The IMB generally found it to be a safe environment, with positive initiatives in healthcare and education, including 100% pass rates for GCSEs and a 'Good' Ofsted rating. However, key concerns persist regarding the suitability of facilities for prisoners with dementia and mobility issues, significant delays from outsourced maintenance contractors, and the ongoing availability of illicit drugs.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The suitability of HMP Frankland or other LTHSE prisons for housing prisoners with dementia, given poor facilities and inadequate accommodation.
- Persistent issues with outsourced maintenance contractors causing significant delays in repairing essential equipment, notably in kitchens and workshops.
- The continued availability of illicit drugs within the prison.
- Ongoing problems with healthcare waiting room facilities for prisoners with mobility issues, including lack of ventilation and accessible toilets.
- Protracted delays in transferring prisoners requiring secure mental health hospital placements, with one transfer taking 146 days.
- Capacity issues in other high-security segregation units hindering the progression of long-term segregated prisoners from Frankland's MPU.
Parc
Published 23 May 2025
· 1,599 prisoners
Self-harm: 2,325
Assaults: 761
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Parc, a Category B/C resettlement prison, faced significant challenges including 19 deaths in custody, with a notable cluster of drug-related fatalities, and high levels of self-harm and violence, though a downtrend was observed towards the end of the reporting period. Persistent concerns included poor food quality and quantity, insufficient keyworkers, and ongoing issues with property transfers. Healthcare provision was strained by excessive waiting times for GP and mental health services, and staff shortages, though some improvements were noted in healthcare access and anti-drug measures.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- There were 19 deaths in custody, including 5 believed to be drug-related.
- Food complaints were constant, covering both quality and quantity, with kitchen facilities designed for a smaller population.
- The number of keyworkers remained lower than required, leading to prisoners complaining about lack of contact.
- Persistent issues with inter-prison transfers meant prisoners' property was often not transferred with them.
- Mental health provision had issues, particularly with ADHD assessments, and there were significant delays in accessing secure mental health beds.
- Waiting times for GP appointments and emergency ambulances were frequently excessive, compounded by a shortage of nursing staff.
- Education was restricted at times due to regime constraints, and there was a decline in the quality of education and purposeful activities in the YOI early in the year.
- The uncertainty of release dates for IPP prisoners caused significant anxiety and negatively impacted their mental health and progression.
- Violence levels in the YOI continued to fluctuate, with an increase observed during April-June 2024.
Grendon
Published 22 May 2025
· 160 prisoners
AI-generated report summary Grendon is a Category B therapeutic community prison with an operational capacity of 185, holding around 160 men. The Board commends the safe environment and therapeutic work but highlights significant concerns regarding the inability to transfer "out of therapy" (OOT) prisoners due to wider prison overcrowding, which negatively impacts the regime and available spaces for new therapy participants. Persistent issues with poor building infrastructure, sanitation, and rat infestation also remain.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Men who are out of therapy cannot move on to another prison due to overcrowding, impacting the effective running of the therapeutic community.
- There are very few opportunities at Grendon for men to build on their experiences once they are Out of Therapy (OOT) and remain too long.
- Ongoing issues with building infrastructure, poor sanitation arrangements in non-refurbished wings, continued rat infestation, and overheating.
Springhill
Published 22 May 2025
· 300 prisoners
Self-harm: 1
AI-generated report summary HMP Springhill, a Category D open prison, typically held over 300 men with an operational capacity of 3351. The reporting year saw low levels of self-harm and violence, but persistent infrastructure failures, understaffing in education and OMU, and disjointed resettlement activities posed significant challenges. While 41 new single cells were a positive addition, the influx of men following early release schemes strained mental health services and limited access to external work.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The UK government continues to under-invest in rehabilitation services for open prisons, specifically in offender management and educational/vocational services.
- Persistent issues with outside probation and other agencies delay men’s access to Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), exacerbated by new early release schemes.
- Fluctuations in demand due to early release schemes like SDS40 overwhelm on-site services, particularly mental health.
- The poor state of Springhill’s infrastructure (leaking buildings, unreliable fire alarms, power outages, failing sanitation, rats) seriously impacts the ability to deliver a safe and enabling environment.
- Staffing problems in core education subjects and the Offender Management Unit (OMU) hinder men's progression and access to resettlement support.
- Activities designed to support men's progression towards sustainable employment remain disjointed, leading to underemployment in low-value on-camp work.
Highpoint
Published 21 May 2025
· 1,300 prisoners
Self-harm: 449
Assaults: 210
Staff assaults: 151
AI-generated report summary HMP Highpoint, a Category C training and resettlement prison, maintained a population of approximately 1,300 in 2024. While self-harm incidents decreased, there was a concerning rise in assaults on both prisoners and staff, and an increase in use of force and ACCTs opened. Key challenges include persistent issues with property management, the poor performance of the maintenance contractor (GFSL), and the unchecked influx of contraband, all contributing to ongoing safety concerns.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- The ongoing loss and delay of prisoners' property during transfers and within the prison, exacerbated by issues with handling parcels.
- The continued poor service and untimely completion of maintenance works by Gov Facility Services Ltd (GFSL).
- The significant rise in healthcare applications, requiring investigation into underlying reasons.
- The incomplete replacement of external netting, leaving the prison vulnerable to "throwovers" and contraband, impacting prisoner safety and wellbeing.
- The persistent influx of large quantities of drugs and other contraband, contributing to an increase in violent incidents and drug debt.
- Concerns regarding prison overcrowding, which complicates prisoner transfers and contributes to increased violence and unrest.
- The IMB is concerned that one of the constant watch cells is located in the CSU.
High Down
Published 20 May 2025
· 1,205 prisoners
Self-harm: 661
Assaults: 202
Staff assaults: 91
AI-generated report summary HMP High Down, a Category C prison, faces significant challenges with safety, regime, and healthcare, despite some positive developments. Key concerns include the treatment of acutely mentally unwell prisoners, high levels of illicit items, and extensive regime restrictions. Staffing shortages and persistent issues with accommodation and food quality continue to impact the humane treatment of prisoners, many of whom also face accessibility barriers.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Acutely mentally unwell prisoners held in segregation for long periods awaiting hospital transfer.
- Overwhelming presence of illicit items, particularly due to drone incursions, and high positive drug test rates.
- Significant regime restrictions and long hours in cell due to cancelled evening association.
- Poor accommodation conditions (dirty cells, missing items, un-refurbished showers) and issues with food hygiene and portion control.
- Understaffing in Offender Management impacting sentence progression and access to offender behaviour courses.
- Persistent accessibility issues for prisoners with mobility needs due to broken lifts and lack of ramps, compounded by the needs of an ageing population.
- High self-harm incidents, particularly among IPP and recall prisoners, and concerns about cell bell response times.
Long Lartin
Published 16 May 2025
· 570 prisoners
Self-harm: 664
Assaults: 110
Staff assaults: 109
AI-generated report summary HMP Long Lartin experienced another challenging year marked by significant safety issues, including increased self-harm, violence, and prolific drone incursions delivering illicit items. The Board continues to raise concerns about the degrading lack of in-cell sanitation in four wings and the severe deterioration of the prison's infrastructure and maintenance. While some positive developments in education and family visits were noted, fundamental problems persist, many of which are long-standing.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Incidents of self-harm have continued to increase and are more prevalent than in other LTHSE prisons, linked to drug availability and lack of purposeful activity leading to violence.
- Outdated and failing security systems, coupled with frequent drone deliveries of illicit items (drugs, weapons, phones), compromise safety and security.
- Four wings lack in-cell sanitation, requiring the undignified 'slopping out' process, which falls below modern standards of decency.
- The prison’s infrastructure and fabric continue to deteriorate, with ineffective maintenance provided by Amey plc, and critical facilities like the kitchen remaining unsuitable.
- Inefficient management of prisoners’ property remains a major source of frustration and anger, leading to mistrust and self-harm.
- Healthcare in-patient facilities are unsuitable for supporting prisoners in poor physical health or providing therapeutic support, contributing to long waiting times for transfers and GP appointments.
Risley
Published 29 Apr 2025
Self-harm: 1,068
Assaults: 337
Staff assaults: 93
AI-generated report summary HMP Risley, a large Category C training and resettlement prison with a complex population including PCoSOs and foreign nationals, faced significant challenges during the 2022-2024 reporting period. The Board noted extremely high and increasing self-harm rates, poor estate maintenance exacerbated by contractor issues, and insufficient purposeful activity spaces. Positive observations included well-managed mental health provision, improved resettlement planning for some groups, and a well-regarded chaplaincy team, but critical concerns remain regarding safety, infrastructure, and regime provision for the diverse prisoner population.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
- Extremely high self-harm rates, significantly increasing year-on-year.
- The ongoing complexity and impact of running two parallel regimes.
- Poor fabric and maintenance of accommodation blocks, particularly A, B, C, and D wings, with delays to repairs and issues with contractor performance.
- Ongoing issues with prisoner property, reflected in a high number of applications.
- Lack of dental services for nearly a year, leading to transport needs and long waiting times.
- Insufficient purposeful activity and education spaces for the prison's population size, impacting prisoner progression and time out of cell.
- Delays in resettlement planning for high-risk men and foreign national prisoners.
- Some areas of the prison estate, particularly heating and water systems, are beyond repair and unsuitable for prisoners and staff.
Establishment types
Read the chart values
| Establishment type | Reports |
|---|---|
| Prison | 789 |
| IRC | 22 |
Reports by year
Read the chart values
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 129 |
| 2021 | 126 |
| 2022 | 132 |
| 2023 | 134 |
| 2024 | 133 |
| 2025 | 128 |
| 2026 | 29 |
Key findings
99% of IMB reports flag key concerns. Independent monitors cover 171 establishments across prisons, immigration removal centres and secure training centres.