Prison
Cat B
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Holme House
IMB Annual Report 2025 · Published 19 May 2026
HMP Holme House was reclassified to a category B reception, training and resettlement prison in January 2025. The re-role has impacted all aspects of the prison’s routine and operating protocols. There has been a shift in key safety metrics, including an increase in prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and an increase in the use of force.
Positive Findings
The Board observed that the planning and implementation work of all staff teams in the run up to the reclassification meant that the transition was very well delivered, given the high level of complexity involved and the tight timescales that it was delivered within. The newly installed CCTV in the recently upgrade reception area is of a far higher standard, which aids in scrutinising incidents that happen in that area. Overall decency scores have improved during the year.
Key Concerns
bullet Problems associated with drug abuse continue to be significant for the prison.
bullet Just under 18% of the expected key worker sessions were achieved.
bullet Delays in occupational health assessments were caused by delays to therapists being approved and vetted to enter the prison.
bullet The impact of the prison holding remand prisoners and having far greater ‘churn’ has detrimentally affected the delivery of prisoner employment activities.
bullet Just under 18% of the expected key worker sessions were achieved.
bullet Delays in occupational health assessments were caused by delays to therapists being approved and vetted to enter the prison.
bullet The impact of the prison holding remand prisoners and having far greater ‘churn’ has detrimentally affected the delivery of prisoner employment activities.
Board Commentary
Staffing
During 2025, the staffing model was amended to reflect the categorisation of the prison. During the year, challenges have remained to maintain a full staff complement at all times due to sickness and other absences. Bank staff have been utilised to provide cover where necessary. The Board remains disappointed and concerned that staffing levels are not always sufficient to allow both full regime and key work sessions to happen.
Healthcare
During 2025, there was a period of instability and change in Spectrum local leadership. The Board has been advised that audits from relevant healthcare authorities found no deterioration in provision during this period. During the year there have been six mental health peers drawn from the prison population. The Board is aware of a few occasions where prisoners who required specialist mental health care and treatment have waited an unacceptable number of months for a place to become available.
Regime & Daily Life
Throughout the year the prison has operated the mandated regime, which means all prisoners except those in the segregation unit have been out of their cells far more than the two-hour minimum. Great emphasis is placed on access to the gym, with it being open throughout the Christmas/new year period, whilst both education and industries were closed. The Board notes that in focussing on delivering a full regime, other activities (e.g. key worker sessions) have been curtailed.
Other IMB Reports for Holme House
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
6 Mar 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 3
Respect: 4
Activity: 2
Release: 3
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.