Prison overcrowding impacts HMP Erlestoke

The widely publicised shortage of prison spaces is having an impact on a local level at HMP Erlestoke says the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) in its 2024-25 annual report (published 14 August 2025).

The Board raises concerns about:

• Prison overcrowding which has led the Government to introduce frequent changes to the criteria for release. Staff who support prisoners on their journey towards release have had to recalculate every prisoner’s release date following each change in government policy, which had a significant impact on staff capacity. Each offender manager has an average caseload of 60 prisoners to manage, often in conjunction with external Community Offender Managers. They are under extreme pressure to maintain regular contact with their caseload while managing the new measures, despite the support of external probation officers in many cases. Furthermore, the short time frames provided for these releases do not always allow a prisoner to prepare for life outside prison, and there have been a disappointingly high number of subsequent recalls.
• The ability of prisons such as HMP Erlestoke to provide safe and humane treatment for elderly and frail prisoners. Without 24 hour healthcare, there have been occasions where the health and social needs of such prisoners have not been met and the Board asks the Minister what long term solutions are being planned for this increasing cohort nationwide.

However, the Board is also pleased to report that:  

• Self-harm incidents have dropped by nearly one third.
• Staff turnover has decreased across the year. This has resulted in a considerable improvement in the experience and confidence of officers, and the Board has observed numerous positive interactions between staff and prisoners.
• HMP Erlestoke is one of four prisons delivering the progression regime, which is to help prisoners provide sufficient evidence to the Parole Board. During the reporting year 17 men were released (12 were serving imprisonment for public protection sentences) and nine were transferred to open conditions, the highest numbers since the programme started at the prison.
• Despite spiralling food costs and a limited budget of £3 per day per prisoner, the kitchen staff have maintained varied and innovative menus. The prison’s gardens are providing an increasing range of fresh vegetables to supplement supplies.

IMB Erlestoke Chair, Laura Bell, said:

“Despite operating under some challenging pressures this year, the Board has observed HMP Erlestoke continue its drive for improvement. Staff turnover has reduced and officers have more experience. Prison maintenance has improved. Healthcare is now fully staffed and the progression regime – one of only four in the country – has had its best year yet, in terms of releases or transfers to open prisons.”