Prison
Cat D
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Kirklevington Grange
IMB Annual Report 2025 · Published 14 May 2026
HMP/YOI Kirklevington Grange is a category D open prison, located close to the village of Kirklevington, in North Yorkshire, catering for adult men and young adult men. The operational capacity of the prison was 2071 throughout the year. The IMB consider that HMP Kirklevington Grange is a safe environment for both prisoners and staff.
Positive Findings
The Board continues to consider the prison to be a safe environment both in which to live and work. From the Boards monitoring and observations the quality of healthcare provision is exceptional with very few complaints. From the Board’s observations there are still good relationships between staff and prisoners are provided good training and experience for resettlement into the community. Rehabilitation is a key object at Kirklevington and staff can be proud of their success in this objective.
Key Concerns
bullet Toxicology tests have yet to be finalised thus delaying the investigation by the prisons and Probation Ombudsman, preventing progress towards an inquest.
- Staffing levels at Kirklevington are good, without many peaks of sickness but the Board is concerned at the amount of time it takes to start a new member on site between their initial interview and acceptance.
- Misplaced property is a continuing issue.
- The rapid development cell programme again failed to come to fruition during the reporting year.
- Staffing levels at Kirklevington are good, without many peaks of sickness but the Board is concerned at the amount of time it takes to start a new member on site between their initial interview and acceptance.
- Misplaced property is a continuing issue.
- The rapid development cell programme again failed to come to fruition during the reporting year.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing levels at Kirklevington are good, without many peaks of sickness but the Board is concerned at the amount of time it takes to start a new member on site between their initial interview and acceptance. We realise that there is a need to complete security checks, but what can amount to nine months before actually being employed is an inordinate amount of time and the Board would ask how this time period could be reduced?
Healthcare
From the Boards monitoring and observations the quality of healthcare provision is exceptional with very few complaints. Any absence by staff due to sickness during the year was well covered by staff from other establishments. The mental health service was good, in the Board’s view, with a clear pathway for referral and treatment.
Regime & Daily Life
As a category D establishment, prisoners have a key to their own rooms and can leave their rooms to use communal areas from 6.30am, but they must be back in their rooms by 9.30pm. Prisoners have relatively free access across the majority of the site. This is appreciated by the prisoners, as it gives them the freedom to exercise outside.
Recommendations (2)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 1
Recommendation 1
Can this process be examined to ensure a speedier response?
Ministry of Justice
Healthcare
Recommendation 2
We realise that there is a need to complete security checks, but what can amount to nine months before actually being employed is an inordinate amount of time and the Board would ask how this time period could be reduced?
HMPPS
Staffing
Other IMB Reports for Kirklevington Grange
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
2 Sep 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 4
Activity: 4
Release: 4
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.