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Reports published 19 October

Published:

HMP Stocken

Type of inspection: Full inspection

Dates of inspection: 20–31 July 2026

Summary of findings: Despite committed leadership and some ambitious initiatives at this much-expanded prison, there were many significant problems. The ingress of drugs was threatening stability, many staff-prisoner relationships were transactional, and longstanding infrastructure problems undermined decency. The safety and effectiveness of mental health provision were undermined by inadequate oversight, and many prisoners and their families were unhappy with the arrangements for visits.

Points to note: Prisoners could not always study maths and English at the right level and achievement rates were low. Workshops and prison jobs did not help to develop prisoners’ employability skills.

Read the report: HMP Stocken