Prison
Cat B, YOI, reception, resettlement
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Bedford
IMB Annual Report 2025 · Published 21 November 2025
HMP/YOI Bedford, a Category B reception and resettlement prison, continues to face challenges with overcrowding, high levels of violence, and pervasive illicit item use. While some improvements have been made in reception and living conditions, the healthcare service is under significant strain, evidenced by a CQC warning notice. The Board also highlights concerns regarding staff retention (due to visa issues), a limited education curriculum, and an antiquated paper-based system for property and complaints.
Positive Findings
The Board notes significant improvements in the prison's reception process, which now generates a calm atmosphere with clear induction information. Living conditions have considerably improved, with wings repainted and better cell organization. The relocation of the segregation unit to a vastly improved environment is also a welcome development. Furthermore, key worker sessions have significantly increased, and the prisoner application process shows positive changes in availability and tracking. The chaplaincy team is commended for its valuable multi-faith support and dedication to prisoner well-being.
Key Concerns
Overcrowding
Repeated
The prison remains overcrowded with, in the majority of instances, two men sharing a small cell and toilet, which could be considered as inhumane.
Safety
Repeated
Whilst there has been a slight fall in prisoner-on-prisoner violence, HMP Bedford is still the third worst amongst reception prisons. For most of the reporting year there was a steady decrease in assaults on staff. However, the number of assaults at HMP Bedford remains very high in comparison with other reception prisons.
Substance Misuse
Repeated
All the evidence indicates that drugs and other illicit items are commonplace within the prison, with high levels of mandatory drug tests being positive, compounded by over 100 unsecure windows.
Healthcare
Repeated
The healthcare service, delivered by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), has significant concerns regarding missed appointments, lack of record-keeping for applications, and ongoing unacceptable staff shortages, leading to a CQC warning notice for failing to meet regulations relating to safe care and treatment.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
Despite improvements in education attendance, prisoners comment on the lack of courses available other than basic English and maths, and only around 40% of prisoners are engaged in purposeful activity, which is below average.
Staffing
The Board is concerned that many officers (including operational support grades) are on overseas work visas, and changes to the rules could mean that they do not earn the minimum salary, potentially leading to a significant loss of staff and impact on the regime.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
Missing or lost prisoners’ property continues to be a source of frustration, particularly arising from transfers between prisons, due to an antiquated paper-based system that is not fit for purpose. The number of complaints remains high (around 100 per month, third highest among reception prisons), suggesting issues are not dealt with at an earlier stage.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Prisoners on D-4 (PCoSOs) face disadvantages including limited access to education and the library, and the wing generally feels less well managed with an apparent lack of officer focus and few application forms available.
Safety
The glass in the observation panels of the new Care and Segregation Unit (CSU) is breakable, resulting in small shards that can be used as items for self-harm or weapons, and a more appropriate, un-breakable material has not yet been found.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The prison is largely fully staffed, which contributes to stable wings and a predictable regime. However, the Board is concerned that many officers (including OSGs) are on overseas work visas, and rule changes could lead to a significant loss of staff. Staff resignations have dramatically reduced from 15% to 5% within the year, leading to more experienced officers. However, staff are often unable to answer queries or deal with problems due to lack of knowledge or time.
Healthcare
The IMB has received a high number of prisoner applications complaining about healthcare, noting occasions with no nurses on the in-patient unit and missed appointments due to lack of notification. The CQC inspection in April 2025 corroborated these concerns, issuing a warning notice to the provider (NHFT) for failures in safe care, treatment, and record-keeping, highlighting poor chronic care and treatment delays. The Board questions if the service is fit for purpose given staff shortages, despite compassionate care from overstretched ground staff.
Regime & Daily Life
HMP Bedford remains overcrowded, with two men often sharing small cells and toilets with minimal privacy, which is considered inhumane. While prisoners still feel they spend too long locked up, observations suggest an improvement in time out of cell for association, work, education, or exercise, leading to a better atmosphere. The relocation of PCoSOs to D-4 has created disadvantages in education and library access, while young adults on F-wing participate in the STRIDE programme.
Applications to the IMB
Prisoners can apply to their IMB about any aspect of their treatment. This table shows application counts by category.
| Category | Current | Previous | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (including transfers) | 13 | 18 | |
| Adjudications | 4 | 3 | |
| Equality and diversity | 4 | 2 | |
| Healthcare (including mental health) | 33 | 11 | |
| Property | 22 | 55 | |
| Regime | 5 | 7 | |
| Safety | 3 | 5 | |
| Segregation | 6 | 8 | |
| Staff interactions/Decisions/Treatment by staff | 18 | 20 | |
| Welfare (e.g. money, canteen, clothing, facilities, visits) | 12 | 12 | — |
Recommendations (15)
Other: 1
HMPPS: 6
Governor / Director: 8
6 repeated
Recommendation 1
Will the Minister influence government policy so that staff on overseas visas are not lost to the prison service?
Other
(minister)
Staffing
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
What action will HMPPS take to ensure that the healthcare contract is properly managed?
HMPPS
Healthcare
Recommendation 3
Will money be made available to address this problem [unsecure windows]?
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 4
Will HMPPS undertake research or other initiatives to find a more appropriate inspection panel material?
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Can HMPPS confirm when Launchpad will be introduced?
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 6
Will HMPPS confirm that this [consistent approach across all prisons in respect of clothing guidance for visitors and in respect of the amount of money that visitors can spend during visits] will be reviewed?
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 7
Will HMPPS produce clear guidelines on communication with deaf prisoners and equipment that is available?
HMPPS
Equality
Recommendation 8
Can the Governor confirm that this [induction supported by a simple leaflet with key messages] will be delivered?
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 9
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
What strategy is in place to achieve this [meet the national key worker target]?
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 10
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
What actions is the prison taking to address this [assaults on staff remain far too high]?
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 11
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
What actions will be taken to make the strategy [drug and alcohol rehabilitation] more effective?
Governor / Director
Substance Misuse
Recommendation 12
How will the prison enable this [officers address problems and queries at an earlier stage to reduce complaints] to happen?
Governor / Director
Complaints
Recommendation 13
Will the prison review the management of the D-4 wing and access of D-4 prisoners to education and the library?
Governor / Director
Regime, Education
Recommendation 14
Repeated
How will the prison increase the attractiveness of the curriculum?
Governor / Director
Education
Recommendation 15
Will the Governor confirm that this [review rules in respect of clothing for visitors and the amount of money that can be brought in] will happen?
Governor / Director
Regime
Other IMB Reports for Bedford
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
30 Oct 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 1
Respect: 1
Activity: 1
Release: 2
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.
Prevention of Future Deaths Reports
Coroner PFD reports issued to this establishment.