HMP Highpoint
Inspection report - Highpoint (PDF, 1.0 MB)
Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Highpoint by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (16-27 October 2023)
Highpoint healthy prison scores
What we found
One of the largest category C training and resettlement prisons in England, Highpoint was failing to deliver its core purpose to prepare men for their return to the community.
The prison held just under 1,300 men, many convicted of offences related to drugs or violence. Category C prisons should support men to develop skills that will enable them to find work and resettle successfully in the community on their release. But inspectors rated the provision of purposeful activity as ‘poor’. There were not enough places for men to attend education, training and employment and staff shortages meant the well-resourced training facilities for motor vehicle mechanics, plumbing, catering, digital skills and barbering were unused at the time of the inspection.
More than a third of adults released from prison are known to reoffend within a year. With rising prison populations, and people serving longer sentences, it is essential that we address this. That can only happen if prisons fundamentally refocus to become places of rehabilitation, education and training that equip people to move on from offending and take their place in society. There was much to admire about Highpoint, which was safe, well-maintained and had excellent relationships between staff and prisoners. But, like too many other prisons, its work on education, training and resettlement wasn’t good enough.
These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of any of these documents in a more accessible format, please email media@hmiprisons.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.