Skip to content

All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated.

To view this licence, visit:
https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3

or write to:
Information Policy Team,
The National Archives,
Kew,
London TW9 4DU

or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

This publication is available at:
https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk.

© Crown copyright

Reports published 9 March

Published:

HMP Exeter

Type of inspection: full inspection

Dates of inspection: 18 November – 4 December 2025

Summary of findings: Although determined leadership and a more stable staff group were making a positive difference, the jail continued to face longstanding challenges. Self-harm remained too high and there had been seven self-inflicted deaths since the inspection in 2022. New arrivals required better support and oversight of the increasing use of force against prisoners was inadequate. Although attendance at education and work activities had improved, it was still too low.

Points to note: Release planning was strong. Prison offender managers made early contact with individuals and worked effectively with community colleagues and other agencies.

Read the report: HMP Exeter

HMP/YOI Isis

Type of inspection: full inspection

Dates of inspection: 18 November – 4 December 2025

Summary of findings: Although changes to behaviour management had started to have an impact, there was still too much violence. Drugs were widely available, and too many prisoners were locked up during the day, while too few were allocated to education, skills and work. The cleanliness of residential areas and insufficiently regular contact between prisoners and prisoner offender managers were among other problems.

Points to note: Although there were many challenges, the determined, imaginative leadership of the governor, her experienced deputy and some excellent middle leaders were driving improvement.

Read the report: HMP/YOI Isis