Prison
Cat D
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Springhill
IMB Annual Report 2025 · Published 20 May 2026
HMP Springhill is an open establishment (category D) that focuses on the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners. There has been a reduction in education provision. Instances of self-harm, violence, assaults, and the use of force remain at low levels.
Positive Findings
Numbers of prisoners accessing work in the community and maintaining family ties have increased. Men engaging with DART (drug and alcohol recovery team) gave positive feedback, and a pilot brain injury clinic supported men with related trauma. New initiatives were introduced to support progression into ROTL, together with outreach to more employers.
Key Concerns
bullet Can the minister offer reassurance that sufficient funding will be available to address the necessary requirements to offer much improved accommodation and associated services at HMP Springhill?
bullet Why has there been a 30% reduction in real terms to the education provision across Springhill as this support is a key part of prisoners’ rehabilitation and preparation for employment when released?
bullet Property related issues experienced at Springhill create unnecessary anxiety and generate numerous complaints from prisoners. What priority is the Prison Service giving to finding effective solutions for the continued issues with prisoners’ personal property and adherence to the National Policy Framework?
bullet Why has there been a 30% reduction in real terms to the education provision across Springhill as this support is a key part of prisoners’ rehabilitation and preparation for employment when released?
bullet Property related issues experienced at Springhill create unnecessary anxiety and generate numerous complaints from prisoners. What priority is the Prison Service giving to finding effective solutions for the continued issues with prisoners’ personal property and adherence to the National Policy Framework?
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing levels, especially on night duty, mean that response to suspicious or unusual activity is often limited to observing and reporting. Of the 30 uniformed operational staff (level band three), 47% of these had two years or less service. Staffing shortages in the chaplaincy has affected some faith provision.
Healthcare
There were generally good outcomes across most health-related services. Mental health staff reported an increase in the complexity of cases of men arriving earlier than previous years in their sentence. Men failing to keep healthcare appointments remains a problem.
Regime & Daily Life
More men inside the prison have put pressure on opportunities for purposeful activity. Cuts to education in real terms from October have resulted in a significant shift in what the prison can offer to prisoners.