Tag: HMP/YOI Bronzefield

Despite the Independent Monitoring Board’s (IMB) 2023 thematic report warning that women in acute mental distress were being imprisoned due to a chronic shortage of secure psychiatric hospital beds, two years later the IMB’s 2024–25 annual report for HMP/YOI Bronzefield (published 10 December 2025) highlights that these serious concerns remain largely unresolved.

Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP/YOI Bronzefield for reporting year 1 August 2024 – 31 July 2025.

Letter from Lord James Timpson MP, Minister of State for Justice, in response to the Bronzefield 2023-24 annual report.

A growing number of women experiencing severe mental health crises are being held in Bronzefield prison under the label of 'place of safety', due to a shortage of beds in psychiatric hospitals. This practice exacerbates the mental distress of already vulnerable women, says the Independent Monitoring Board for the prison in its 2023-24 annual report (published 29 November 2024).

Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP/YOI Bronzefield for reporting year 1 August 2023 – 31 July 2024.

Letter from Edward Argar MP, Minister of State for Justice, in response to the Bronzefield 2022-23 annual report.

For women leaving HMP/YOI Bronzefield the lack of safe and sustainable accommodation post release has been a serious concern for a number of years.  The transition from imprisonment to normal life already poses a significant challenge for many women, a lack of housing options not only puts these women at risk of homelessness, but also raises concerns about their well-being and future prospects. 

Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP/YOI Bronzefield for reporting year 1 August 2022 – 31 July 2023.

Letter from Damian Hinds MP, Minister of State for Justice, in response to the Bronzefield 2021-22 annual report.

The 2021-22 annual report for HMP/YOI Bronzefield is now published.