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HMP Garth

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Inspection report - Garth (PDF, 810.7 KB)

Report on an independent review of progress at HMP Garth by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons 12–14 May 2025.

What we found

Not enough progress had been made since the full inspection in 2024. More prisoners had tested positive for drugs, with a huge increase in drones conveying them into the jail, while support for the most vulnerable prisoners had not improved. Prisoners were too often allowed to breach basic prison rules and staff did not challenge poor behaviour. More positively, time out of cell had improved thanks to a new regime and there were reduced levels of staff sickness. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene were also better, although not enforced consistently.

Points to note: Access to health services was substantially better and there had been some improvements in the education offer, although attendance and punctuality were still not good enough and too few prisoners were engaged in purposeful activity.