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Reduced availability in approved premises, leads to some prisoners facing incarceration beyond their release dates

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HMP Leyhill

In its annual report published on 29 July 2025, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for Leyhill has found that the reduced availability of spaces in suitable probation approved premises on release, leads to some prisoners facing incarceration beyond their release dates. Many prisoners experience delays in progression towards their eligibility for parole as they have limited opportunities for overnight stays in approved premises, which helps evidence their suitability for release and re-integration into society.

The IMB notes that:

  • The reliability and availability of communication devices for prisoners in Leyhill is not comparable to many closed prisons. Maintaining contact with friends and family whilst incarcerated is paramount to achieving successful resettlement and integration into the community on release.
  • Nearly all the 28 prisoners serving imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences remain in prison beyond their indicative tariff date. The IMB considers this profoundly unjust, especially in light of Parliament’s own recognition of the sentence’s inherent unfairness.
  • The IMB has ongoing concerns about the continuously changing demographic of Leyhill, from a predominantly older population, consisting of those convicted of sexual offences, to one that is serving shorter sentences. The change in demographic provides challenges in all areas.

However, it is also pleased to report that:

  • Work to increase the operational capacity has commenced. Rapid deployment cells (RDCs), with capacity for 97 prisoners, will be installed in the forthcoming year. Plans for two phases of 120 bed units are progressing and the predicted operational capacity on completion of all programmes will increase from 460 to 825.
  • The care shown for vulnerable prisoners has been evident in meetings observed by the IMB. Self-harm incidents remained relatively low and are well-monitored by staff. There was only one serious incident in the reporting period.
  • The work of the offender management unit (OMU) continues to improve the processing of ROTL (release on temporary licence) paperwork, especially in the risk assessment of prisoners, so that more of them have become available for work in the wider community.

IMB Leyhill Chair, Kevin Masters, said:

“The IMB has observed staff at HMP Leyhill treating prisoners with humanity and respect in a safe and supportive environment. However, the Board is concerned that prisoners do not have access to communication devices equivalent to those available in the majority of the closed estate to maintain contact with friends and family members. Additionally, the shortage of suitable spaces in approved premises leads to some prisoners facing incarceration beyond their release dates and many experiencing delays in progression towards their eligibility for parole.”