HMP Kirkham

At its last full inspection (September 2024; report published December 2024), inspectors found outcomes for prisoners were not sufficiently good for respect, purposeful activity and preparation for release; reasonably good for safety. It held 672 people at the time, against an operational capacity of 699. An independent review of progress was published in September 2025.

Read our story Read the inspection report

Healthy prison tests: inspectors grade four areas from 1 (poor) to 4 (good).

1. September 2025 · Independent review of progressFollow-up visit assessing progress against the key concerns from the previous full inspection. Read the report (HM Inspectorate of Prisons, opens external site) ↗
2. December 2024 · Full inspectionSafety: reasonably good · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: not sufficiently good · Preparation for release: not sufficiently good Read our story

News

Fylde MP calls for open prison arrivals who fail drug tests to be sent back

Andrew Snowden told the Commons that prisoners who fail a drug test on arrival at HMP Kirkham should return to closed conditions. The prisons minister pointed to a review led by Amber Rudd.

Prison News staff20 Oct 2026

News

HMP Kirkham had highest drug test failure rate in open estate, inspectors found

Inspectors found the Lancashire open prison struggling after national overcrowding schemes, with poor staff relationships, little temporary release and a new £10 million gym that was rarely full.

Prison News staff10 Dec 2024