Prison
Cat C
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Guys Marsh
IMB Annual Report 2025 · Published 21 April 2026
The HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) January 2025 unannounced inspection of HMP Guys Marsh reflected the Board’s concerns about safety, staff-prisoner relationships and purposeful activity. The Board recognised the Governor’s efforts to improve standards, reflected in HMIP’s November 2025 independent review of progress (IRP) findings of reduced violence, a more consistent regime and better staff and prisoner relationships, while agreeing that illicit drugs remain a serious threat to safety and stability.
Positive Findings
The Board recognised the Governor’s efforts to improve standards, reflected in HMIP’s November 2025 independent review of progress (IRP) findings of reduced violence, a more consistent regime and better staff and prisoner relationships, while agreeing that illicit drugs remain a serious threat to safety and stability. The safety team was reinforced and became more focused. Prison workshops provided unaccredited qualifications tailored to specific job roles, significantly boosting employability.
Key Concerns
bullet Illicit items (drugs, phones, etc) remained a serious threat.
bullet There were high levels of prisoners under the influence (UTI) of psychoactive substances, particularly in August.
bullet The physical environment remained unsuitable.
bullet Missed healthcare appointments and long waiting times.
bullet Delays in dental care.
bullet There were high levels of prisoners under the influence (UTI) of psychoactive substances, particularly in August.
bullet The physical environment remained unsuitable.
bullet Missed healthcare appointments and long waiting times.
bullet Delays in dental care.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Weak performance management continued to affect morale among frontline staff. Although attendance improved, staffing remained fragile: 98 band 3 officers were in post against a requirement of 125, with 25% non-effective, leaving 73 available for duty. A high proportion were inexperienced, and the HMIP inspection in November noted that many managers still lacked confidence and experience.
Healthcare
As in the previous year, concerns remain about the physical environment of the healthcare facilities, particularly the pharmacy and patient waiting areas. Healthcare staff continued to play an active role in supporting prisoners in the CSU, attending daily to see those held there and contributing to ACCT reviews for prisoners at risk of self-harm. Mental health services improved significantly during the year, both in how quickly prisoners were seen and in the range of support available.
Regime & Daily Life
Noticeable, effective adjustments appeared to have been made to the regime at the end of the previous reporting period. Gym timings were adjusted to allow prisoners to attend education, skills and work and still take part in a meaningful gym schedule. The Board also had concerns regarding the lateness of the daily unlock following the regime change implemented in September and October.
Recommendations (5)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 3
Governor / Director: 1
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
What concrete action is the Minister taking to resolve the resettlement barriers created by last-minute CAS2/CAS3 accommodation placements, which delay referrals to essential services and prevent prisoners from receiving effective employment preparation before release?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
When will enhanced gate security be installed at HMP Guys Marsh, as highlighted by HMIP’s November 2025 IRP?
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 3
Repeated
In our 2024 annual report, we asked why the Prison Service retained the current, outdated and expensive system whereby prisoners are charged by the minute for phone calls. When will the outdated per-minute prison phone charging system be replaced with fairer call plans?
HMPPS
Equality
Recommendation 4
The Independent Review of Prison Officer Training reported its findings in September 2022. The report outlined several key recommendations for improving the training and development of prison officers, one of which was to redesign the training model, focusing on a 12-month programme. When will the new prison officer training programme finally be introduced?
HMPPS
Staffing
Recommendation 5
When will the system for social video calls be fit for purpose?
Governor / Director
Regime