Category: Uncategorised

Cookham Wood re-rolled as an adult male category C prison in August 2024 following closure of the YOI in May 2024. An Urgent Notification issued to HMYOI Cookham Wood in April 2023 raised two important issues - the poor physical condition of the estate and a demoralised staff group. The prison’s Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) says in its 2024-2025 annual report, published today (4 September), that these issues have continued to impact the running of HMP Cookham Wood as an adult prison.

HMP Millsike is a privately run Mitie Care and Custody prison that opened in April 2025.

The Gatwick Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) found yet again in its 2025 annual report (published 2 September 2026) that key safeguards are inadequate to prevent vulnerable people from being detained or, once identified, to secure their rapid release. This has been compounded by the implementation of ‘Operation Hillmore,’ a pilot ‘one in one out’ scheme under which individuals crossing the channel are detained for removal to France.

The 2025-26 annual report for North West and Midlands STHF is now published.

The 2025-26 annual report for HMP/YOI Thorn cross is now published.

It’s the elephant in the room: overcrowding and inadequate investment in ageing buildings mean prisoners remain incarcerated in unacceptable conditions no matter what positive initiatives prison leaders develop, says the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for HMP Pentonville in its 2025-26 annual report, published on 26 August 2026.

In its annual report for the year ending February 2026, published today (25 August), the IMB at HMP/YOI Moorland gives a mixed judgement on workshops and training programmes for prisoners. Moorland is a training prison which should prepare prisoners for life in the community, but the IMB’s end-of-year assessment is that there is ‘more to do’ to ensure all prisoners have access to the skills, work and training opportunities needed to support successful resettlement and reduce the risk of reoffending.

Prison officer levels at HMP Erlestoke are around a third below target according to the 2025-2026 annual report of the prison’s Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), which is published today (21 August). While recruitment is generally effective, problems arise at vetting stage – reported as taking between 28 and 40 weeks – which consequently results in a number seeking alternative employment.

The 2025-26 annual report for HMP Oakwood is now published.

The 2025-26 annual report for HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall is now published.