Reports published 14 August 2023
Reports on inspections of HMP/YOI Thorn Cross and HMP Grendon
HMP/YOI Thorn Cross
Type of inspection: Full unannounced inspection
Dates of inspection: 2-19 May 2023
Summary of findings: Leadership at Thorn Cross, an open prison in Cheshire, was visible and strong. The central mission – to provide activity, allow prisoners to progress through their sentence, and eventually to support resettlement – was being delivered effectively. Thorn Cross has been consistently successful and at this inspection outcomes remained good in three tests, but had declined marginally to reasonably good in our healthy prison area of respect.
Points to note: A central employment hub housed partner agencies providing resettlement work for prisoners, including Achieve, Department for Work and Pensions, information, advice and guidance, the identification and banking administrator, and the pre-release officer.
Read the report: HMP/YOI Thorn Cross
HMP Grendon
Type of inspection: Full unannounced inspection
Dates of inspection: 2-19 May 2023
Summary of findings: HMP Grendon is a pioneering prison which uses a therapeutic approach, led by highly skilled staff, to support the rehabilitation of prisoners, many of whom are serving indeterminate or life sentences for serious crimes. The prison was one of the safest in the country, which was remarkable given the histories and offences of the prisoners, and assaults and use of force were very rare. Inspectors found excellent relationships between staff and prisoners, but the standard of education was poor.
Points to note: The prison’s building was tired and in need of updating, particularly in terms of sanitation: poor access to lavatories at night meant some prisoners had to use plastic pots without lids, which was unsanitary. Prisoners complained that there was not enough for them to do, with many saying they wanted vocational training.
Read the report: HMP Grendon