Rehabilitation efforts at HMP Stocken under pressure from staffing and resource shortages
In its 2025-26 report (published 2 October 2026) the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for HMP Stocken says that staff have remained committed to keeping prisoners and the public safe despite significant operational pressures. However, the Board highlights concerns about staff shortages, delays in finding appropriate treatment facilities for seriously mentally ill prisoners, ongoing infrastructure problems and growing pressure on resettlement services.
The IMB reports that:
- Difficulties in the recruitment and retention of staff continued to affect keyworking, library access and other rehabilitative activity throughout the reporting period.
- Prisoners were affected by ongoing sewerage problems, rat infestations and intermittent heating and hot water failures.
- Violence increased during the reporting year, as did the quantities of drugs entering the prison.
- Seriously mentally ill prisoners were housed in inappropriate accommodation where their needs could not be met.
- The prison released some 400 prisoners directly into the community despite not being designated or funded as a resettlement prison.
However, the Board is pleased to report that:
- Healthcare services improved by the end of the reporting year, including medication provision.
- Self-harm incidents fell compared with the previous reporting year.
- Vocational training and prison industries workshops continued to provide prisoners with valuable skills and qualifications.
IMB Chair at HMP Stocken, Stuart Williams, said
“Throughout the reporting year, prisoners and staff faced significant challenges, including staffing shortages, an increase in violence, delays in transfers for seriously mentally ill prisoners and ongoing issues with the prison’s infrastructure. Despite the shortages of officers and other resources, the Board continues to observe the high levels of morale and the determination to turn prisoners’ lives around displayed daily by prison staff.”