Serious concerns regarding the impact of opening and early operation of HMP Millsike

The IMB at HMP Millsike has monitored the prison since its opening in March 2025. Owing to the Board’s unique role and level of access, members have maintained a continuous on‑site presence, enabling them to monitor conditions and track emerging trends.

In recent months, the Board has become increasingly concerned about conditions at HMP Millsike and has raised these issues through routine monitoring. As the range and severity of concerns grew, combined with an acceptance within the MoJ that new prisons may take several years to stabilise which can result in poor outcomes and conditions for prisoners, the Board escalated its concerns to the Prisons Minister in line with the IMB’s internal escalation process.

The letter was also copied to the Justice Select Committee to ensure continued awareness of the IMB’s work and concerns.

*This letter has not undergone the formal fact‑checking process. Its content represents the Board at Millsike’s honest opinion based on the information currently available to them. The Board will incorporate these findings into their next annual report, which will be subject to the full internal fact‑checking procedure.