News

The 2024-25 annual report for HMP Wealstun is now published.

In its 2024-25 report, published today (17 September 2025), the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP/YOI Winchester expresses concern about the ongoing challenges the prison faces.

The 2024 annual report for HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay is now published.

An independent body tasked with monitoring places of immigration detention under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 criticises the Home Office for moving at a “glacial pace” to respond to its concerns about conditions in immigration detention.

The 2024-25 annual report for HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall is now published.

In its annual report for 2024-25, published on 10 September 2025, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP Send reports that it continues to consider Send to be a prison in which the management and staff make a great effort to try and ensure the safety of prisoners. However, the high turnover of prisoners, and an increase in prisoners with complex needs, has put pressure on staff and the prison regime, leading to some concerning trends:

The 2024-25 annual report for HMP/YOI Styal is now published.

The 2024 annual report for the Charter Flight Monitoring Team is now published.

Women at HMP/YOI Downview who are acutely mentally unwell face lengthy delays when awaiting transfer to psychiatric units. In its 2024-25 annual report (published 3 September 2025), the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) questioned the suitability of the prison environment for these vulnerable women. The Board found that over the past two reporting years there has been a 90% increase in acutely mentally unwell prisoners facing extended delays in transfers to secure psychiatric settings. The prison frequently has no alternative but to house these women in segregated conditions for their own and others’ safety.

In its 2024-25 annual report, published on 27 August 2025, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for HMP Oakwood has found that all transfers to secure mental health facilities exceeded the 28-day stipulated time frame. Although these prisoners are monitored on a weekly basis, the lack of available beds means that some prisoners remain in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) for extended periods where there is no provision or resource for enhanced mental health support.