Prison
Cat D
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Hatfield
IMB Annual Report 2025 · Published 11 March 2026
HMP Hatfield, a Category D open men's prison and YOI, maintains a generally safe environment with no self-harm, assaults, deaths, or use of force incidents reported in the year. The IMB commends the prison's strong focus on resettlement, evidenced by high rates of employment (62.85%) and accommodation (99.75%) upon release. While facilities are improving through capital maintenance and healthcare provision is well-managed, concerns remain regarding the negative impact of prison population pressures on the Category D ethos, maintenance issues at the Lakes site, and the suitability assessment process for new prisoners.
Positive Findings
Safety continues to be a priority at HMP Hatfield, which the Board observes to be a generally safe environment for both prisoners and staff. Improved information sharing at feeder prisons has increased understanding for new arrivals. Capital maintenance programmes are making notable improvements to shower and recess facilities. IMB applications remain very low as issues are often resolved by staff. Healthcare is well-managed and accessible, with full multidisciplinary staffing. Education, skills, and work provision are of a very good standard, with progress in English and maths. The prison's resettlement focus results in 99.75% of prisoners having accommodation and 62.85% securing employment post-release, making Hatfield a top performer nationally in this area. Family ties are strongly emphasised and supported through a reintroduced family strategy and regular family meetings.
Key Concerns
Overcrowding
Measures to relieve prison population pressures across the estate can and do have a negative impact on the ethos and performance of category D prisons.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Maintenance at the Lakes is managed by the adjoining prison and is not connected to Hatfield, and their maintenance work is often prioritised over the Lakes.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Increase in complaints, which could be due to men entering HMP Hatfield when they are not prepared for an open prison regime in taking responsibility for personal problem solving.
Resettlement/Release
Lack of resettlement preparation.
Substance Misuse
Prisoners placed in open prison conditions following the change from two years to five years left in a sentence could possibly account for the increase in illicit mobile phone and drug use, due to a lack of incentives and compliance as there may be more time left to serve.
Board Commentary
Staffing
A number of new staff have been recruited in the past year and are effectively mentored by experienced staff, enabling them to learn interpersonal skills. The Senior Management Team continues to prioritise staff wellbeing and supports staff initiatives. Healthcare staffing levels are at full complement, including a newly recruited substance misuse nurse.
Healthcare
Healthcare is provided by the Practice Plus Group, observed to be very well managed and accessible, operating seven days a week across both sites. A 2024 CQC inspection found no breaches of regulations. The service is at full staffing complement with a multidisciplinary team. Physical healthcare provision is good with low 'did not attend' rates and effective throughcare arrangements. Mental health support is consistent with previous reports, with no increase in mental health problems or self-harm incidents, and a low reported need for psychiatrist or psychologist support.
Regime & Daily Life
HMP Hatfield aims to provide a meaningful resettlement regime, offering a sense of purpose through work and education. The gym is very popular across both sites, with instructors delivering diverse courses, including the National Navigation Award Scheme and British Weight Lifting. Gym sessions are available to all ages, outworkers, kitchen workers, and GP referrals. The Incentivised Substance-Free Living (ISFL) scheme is popular, and positive behaviour is rewarded with refurbished kitchenettes and additional amenities like air fryers and sandwich makers.
Applications to the IMB
Prisoners can apply to their IMB about any aspect of their treatment. This table shows application counts by category.
| Category | Current | Previous | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 0 | 0 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 0 | 0 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 0 | 0 | |
| Equality | 0 | 0 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 1 | 2 | |
| Food and kitchens | 0 | 0 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 2 | 0 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 0 | 0 | |
| Miscellaneous | 1 | 0 | |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 3 | 0 | |
| Property within the establishment | 0 | 0 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 2 | 1 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC (home detention curfew), ROTL (release on temporary licence), parole, release dates, recategorisation | 4 | 0 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 0 | 0 | |
| Transfers | 1 | 0 |
Recommendations (3)
Ministry of Justice: 2
HMPPS: 1
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
That maintenance is sanctioned to be facilitated by staff from the main site for the Lakes.
Ministry of Justice
Estate
Recommendation 2
That the Minister takes action to further support planned-for category D prisons to effectively maintain and develop their resettlement programmes.
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 3
That the Prison Service considers a more thorough and rigorous assessment process for prisoners assessed for category D.
HMPPS
Safety
Other IMB Reports for Hatfield
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
15 Jul 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 4
Activity: 4
Release: 4
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.