Prison
Cat C
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Deerbolt
IMB Annual Report 2025 · Published 22 May 2026
The IMB at Deerbolt acknowledges the significant and ongoing challenges facing the Prison Service. The IMB remains concerned about the lack of meaningful rehabilitation at a time when drugs are widespread and the prison population is increasing and shifting towards an older demographic with different and often more complex needs. Overall, the IMB continues to be impressed by the high calibre of many officers in the establishment.
Positive Findings
Deerbolt staff should be commended for their intelligence-gathering work and maintain a strong understanding of the population. The IMB has been encouraged by the management team’s understanding of prisoners’ need, their efforts to increase the quality and quantity of key worker sessions and their continued attempts to communicate effectively with those in their care. The IMB would like to praise Deerbolt staff in the care and separation unit (CSU) for their organization, compassion and commitment to prisoners with more complex needs. During this period, there have been improvements to the level and availability of education provision, contributing towards progressive rehabilitation.
Key Concerns
Safety
Repeated
levels of violence remained high in the reporting period, consistent with what we have highlighted in previous reports
Safety
Deerbolt’s location brings a risk of contraband conveyance. With drones capable of travelling long distances using predetermined GPS coordinates, the associated safety risks cannot be ignored and, in the Board’s view, current counter-drone measures are not fit for purpose.
Education/Purposeful Activity
comparatively, Deerbolt is still impacted by short-notice cancellations to classes, and courses seem to be geared towards low-ability prisoners, with core skills to allow prisoners to read and write rather than actively engage higher learners or those keen to improve their skills for release.
Resettlement/Release
It was not uncommon in the reporting period for prisoners to have had limited contact with their offender managers, largely due to the staff having such high case-loads.
Healthcare
in the Board’s view, optician waiting times remain unacceptable, with delays in securing appointments and inconsistent communication about them.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
a move to half-day activity, alongside a notable increase in the average age of prisoners (YOI at just 11% of population), has, in our view, negatively affected the outcomes for the establishment.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The IMB remains concerned about the lack of meaningful rehabilitation at a time when drugs are widespread and the prison population is not only increasing but also shifting towards an older demographic with different and often more complex needs. Members have at times been concerned by instances of the micro-management of some inexperienced staff, as well as occasional difficulties among certain officers in confidently leading prisoners in routine tasks. To strengthen practice and improve overall standards, more experienced senior officers are needed, both to provide guidance and to lead by example. The prison continues to have issues with staff recruitment, retention and sickness absence.
Healthcare
In recent reports, healthcare staff have been deservedly commended for the high-level of service they provide, despite staff recruitment challenges. However, the availability of illicit drugs continues to undermine prisoner wellbeing, with an alarming 635 incidences recorded of individuals being under the influence between January and September 2025. An understaffed healthcare service, further stretched by drug-related incidents that took staff away from other vital areas and compounded by an older cohort of prisoners with complex needs, means that healthcare provision in the prison requires further enquiry and support from the Minister. Overall, the prison requires additional support in all areas of healthcare.
Regime & Daily Life
Prisoners are still spending too long locked in their cells. With half-day education and employment now in place, there is an increased need for the prison to explore additional ways to provide meaningful stimulation. Managers and staff are working hard to keep a more open regime going, or, where restrictions are necessary, to ensure they are carefully rotated across the wings. The wings can seem chaotic when men are leaving for work or education whilst others are having SOWA with only two officers on duty.
Other IMB Reports for Deerbolt
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
3 Dec 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 2
Respect: 2
Activity: 1
Release: 3
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.