News

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.

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

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

HMP Rye Hill has navigated significant expansion while continuing to prioritise maintaining safety, partnership working and purposeful activity. In its 2025–26 annual report, published on 14 August 2026, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for HMP Rye Hill has found that this privately-run establishment has maintained a safe and constructive environment, with extensive opportunities for prisoner engagement.