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hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
HMI Prisons
@hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
930 followers 230 following 580 posts
Independent inspectorate reporting on conditions for and treatment of those in prisons, young offender institutions and immigration detention facilities.

Learn more at: https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/
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hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP Bristol at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: [email protected]
Photograph of a prison visits hall with the HMI Prisons email address overlaid on top.
September 22, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Reposted by HMI Prisons
russellwebster.com
Two in five children feel unsafe in custody
@hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social surveys of children in custody finds standards generally poor with violence commonplace.
www.russellwebster.com/two-in-five-...
Two in five children feel unsafe in custody
HMI Prisons surveys of children in custody finds standards generally poor with violence commonplace.
www.russellwebster.com
September 22, 2026 at 6:22 AM
Reposted by HMI Prisons
jonbcollins.bsky.social
Today's @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on children in custody makes for very depressing reading.

The government must fix this, focusing on getting young people out of their cells and into high-quality education.

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
Children in custody 2025–26 – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
September 22, 2026 at 7:03 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
In this year's Children in custody report, many of the issues identified in our 2024-25 inspections remain.

Find out more about some of our key findings in the infographic below.

Read the report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
HM Inspectorate of Prisons infographic summarising findings from Children in custody 2025-26. The infographic highlights ongoing concerns about safety, drugs, education and family contact. It states that 75% of young offender institution inspections assessed safety as poor or not sufficiently good, while 79% of children reported spending more than two hours out of their room on weekdays. The graphic includes a quote from a child at Werrington calling for education to be prioritised and for more time out of cell. It also shows that 41% of children found it easy for family and friends to visit and 43% said someone was helping them prepare for release. Demographic information shows that 97% of surveyed children identified as male, two in five were unsentenced or on remand, and several groups, including children from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with care experience, remained overrepresented in custody.
September 22, 2026 at 7:33 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
Today we publish Children in custody 2025-26. Many children face violence, long periods locked in cells and inadequate education provision.

Read the report here: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

And the press release: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/feeling...
Cover graphic for HM Inspectorate of Prisons' report Children in custody 2025-26: An analysis of 12-18-year-olds’ perceptions of their experiences in secure training centres and young offender institutions, published in September 2026. The graphic shows a map of England with the locations of five establishments included in the report highlighted and labelled: Parc, Werrington, Wetherby, Oakhill and Feltham A. Each location is linked to a photograph of the establishment. Text on the cover reads: “Children in custody 2025-26. An analysis of 12-18-year-olds’ perceptions of their experiences in secure training centres and young offender institutions. September 2026.”
September 22, 2026 at 7:31 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
Our team are at holding facilities at Manston, Western Jet Foil and Kent Intake Units at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the facilities, please email: [email protected]
Photograph of a visiting room with the HMI Prisons email address overlaid on top.
September 21, 2026 at 4:52 PM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
HMP Leicester: clear progress, but prisoner-on-prisoner violence, poor living conditions and mental health transfers still concerns.

Read the report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/report-...
Report on an independent review of progress at HMP Leicester by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, 10–12 August 2026
September 21, 2026 at 7:52 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
HMP Bure: Doing well in some areas, but more to do in others

Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm...

And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne...

See the healthy prison scores:
Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Bure when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the scores for Safety and Respect had remained good, and that the score for Preparation for Release had remained reasonably good. The score for Purposeful Activity had improved from poor to not sufficiently good.
September 14, 2026 at 7:39 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
🎙️ In this episode of The Prison Inspectors, Charlie Taylor is joined by former Chief Inspector Nick Hardwick to reflect on the challenges and progress in prisons over the last 16 years.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/reflect...
Podcast cover image for The Prison Inspectors. A prison perimeter fence topped with razor wire forms the background, overlaid with a purple tint. The title “THE PRISON INSPECTORS” appears in large black text at the top left. The HM Inspectorate of Prisons logo is shown inside a pair of headphones at the top right. Two formally dressed people are pictured in the foreground. At the bottom, white text reads: “Reflections of a Chief Inspector with Nick Hardwick”.
September 8, 2026 at 10:42 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
📚 This #InternationalLiteracyDay, we're highlighting the importance of reading and literacy in prisons, and examples of positive practice we've found during inspections.

Read more below and in our thematic: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
Graphic titled "International Literacy Day 2026" displayed over a photograph of a prison library with bookshelves, books and plants. Text on the graphic reads: "While some prisons actively promote reading and literacy, as highlighted in our Reading for rehabilitation thematic, we often find it is not prioritised. Poor literacy can make it harder for prisoners to understand induction materials, family and legal letters, menus, religious texts and forms needed to access services. Our surveys show that prisoners with reading needs are more likely to feel unsafe and to have been segregated or restrained." The HM Inspectorate of Prisons logo appears in the top right corner.
September 8, 2026 at 8:24 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
📢 We're recruiting a Communications Officer to join our small, busy team.

📝 We're looking for someone with strong writing, editorial, digital and organisational skills.

🔍 Find out more and apply: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/current-vaca...
Recruitment graphic for HM Inspectorate of Prisons. Background image shows a prison perimeter path between a high security fence and a brick building. The HM Inspectorate of Prisons logo appears in the top left corner. White text reads: “Communications Officer” and “Apply by: 21 September 2026”
September 7, 2026 at 10:38 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP Peterborough (Men) at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: [email protected]
Photograph of a prison visits hall with the HMI Prisons email address overlaid on top.
September 7, 2026 at 9:42 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
HMP High Down: encouraging progress but drugs remained a major threat.

Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/report-...

See the healthy prison scores:
Bar chart comparing quality ratings across four categories: Safety, Respect, Purposeful activity, and Preparation for release for years 2023 and 2026. Safety increased from not sufficiently good to reasonably good, respect remained reasonably good, purposeful activity improved from poor to not sufficiently good and preparation for released stayed not sufficiently good.
September 7, 2026 at 7:55 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
"The population will remain extremely high and the ongoing problem of overcrowding will remain": HMI Prisons responds to plans to increase prison spaces

Read our full response here: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/the-pop...
Graphic featuring a quote from HM Inspectorate of Prisons over a background image of prison walls and barbed wire. On the left is the HM Inspectorate of Prisons logo above a portrait photograph of a person in a suit. The quote reads: “Far too many prisoners spend their days languishing in their cells instead of taking part in education and work, living conditions in overcrowded jails are often appalling, and high rates of drug use and violence put the safety of prisoners and staff at risk. Without sustained effort to make prisons places of purpose, where men and women are properly prepared for release, it is likely that more prisoners will reoffend and will be recalled to jail, reducing available space and adding to these systemic problems.” The quote is attributed to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor.
September 4, 2026 at 8:07 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
🔎 We are looking for a Health Care Inspector for prisons and other forms of custody

🗓️ Apply by 15 September

Find out more: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/current-vaca...
- Registered healthcare professional - Clinical experience in criminal justice health and social care settings - Experience using clinical governance systems - Competent in System One patient records - Senior-level experience in health or criminal justice health services - Experience developing or influencing health and social care policy - Willing to travel extensively, including week-long trips - Experience working with senior stakeholders - Interest in working across custodial settings, particularly prisons - Understanding of and commitment to the Inspectorate’s work and values - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing - Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills - Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team - Comfortable working in challenging environments.
September 1, 2026 at 12:06 PM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
HMP Lindholme: Widespread availability of drugs a major problem

Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm...

And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne...

See the healthy prison scores:
Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Lindholme when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the score for Safety had remained not sufficiently good, that the score for Respect had declined from reasonably good to not sufficiently good, and that the scores for Purposeful Activity and Preparation for Release had improved from poor to not sufficiently good.
September 1, 2026 at 7:50 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
🌡️Record temperatures. High humidity. Severe weather warnings.

But what does that mean for prisons? Inspector Rachel Badman explores how prolonged heatwaves affect the people who live and work inside our jails.

Read here: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/feeling...
'Feeling the heat: The challenge of rising temperatures in prisons' blog cover image showing a prison perimeter with high fencing and grass running alongside the wall. The photo has an orange tinted overlay. The HMI Prisons logo appears in the top left corner and the article title is displayed in large black text over the image.
August 26, 2026 at 8:08 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
HMP Altcourse: strengthened oversight, governance and use of data, but drug use remained too high.

Read our inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/reports...
The left side shows the exterior of HMP Altcourse, a brick prison building with windows, flower planters and a covered entrance. The right side contains the HM Inspectorate of Prisons logo and the title: “Report on an independent review of progress at HMP Altcourse by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons”. The report was conducted on 6–8 July 2026.
August 24, 2026 at 8:05 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
HMP Risley: Settling after a period of transition

Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm...

And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne...

See the healthy prison scores:
Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Risley when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the score for safety had improved from reasonably good to good, the score for respect had improved from not sufficiently good to reasonably good, the score for purposeful activity had improved from poor to not sufficiently good, and the score for preparation for release had remained not sufficiently good.
August 24, 2026 at 7:10 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
HMP Five Wells: Real progress made and improvements evident

Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm...

And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne...
Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Five Wells when it was inspected in 2024 and 2026. It shows that the scores for Safety and Respect improved from not sufficiently good to reasonably good, the score for Purposeful activity improved from poor to not sufficiently good, and the score for Preparation for release declined from reasonably good to not sufficiently good.
August 17, 2026 at 7:17 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
🔎 We are looking for more fee-paid Healthcare Inspectors.

🗓️ Apply by 23:59pm Tuesday 1st September.

Find out how here: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/current-vaca...
Graphic from HM Inspectorate of Prisons on a dark burgundy background with the HMIP logo in the top left corner. Heading reads: “To be considered you should have:” The graphic lists the essential requirements: - A registered health care qualification. - Knowledge and experience of clinical practice or management within criminal justice health and social care settings. - Experience of using clinical governance systems within criminal justice health and social care services or health care provider services. - Senior-level experience within health services or criminal justice health services. - Experience of developing or influencing policy relating to health and social care in the criminal justice system. - A valid driving licence and the ability to travel extensively across the country, and potentially overseas, spending up to a week away at a time.
August 12, 2026 at 9:32 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
This #InternationalYouthDay, we recognise both the challenges and positive practice in children’s custody.

Our inspections continue to find weaknesses in safety and education, but also examples of good work that help children develop skills and a sense of purpose.
Graphic for International Youth Day 2026 featuring a blurred classroom background with desks, chairs, wall displays and a plant. The HM Inspectorate of Prisons logo appears in the top right corner. Text reads: “International Youth Day 2026. In children’s custody across England we find longstanding weaknesses in safety and education. HMYOI Parc in Wales remains the only site where we have judged both safety and activity to be good. Despite these challenges, we have seen welcome instances of positive practice.”
August 12, 2026 at 9:23 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP Spring Hill at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: [email protected]
Photograph of a prison visits hall with the HMI Prisons email address overlaid on top.
August 10, 2026 at 10:21 AM
hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP & YOI Deerbolt at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: [email protected]
Photograph of a prison visits hall with the HMI Prisons email address overlaid on top.
August 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM