Source: HM Inspectorate of Prisons report published 19 October 2026; visiting details from GOV.UK · last checked 29 October 2026
Latest inspection
At its last full inspection (July 2026; report published October 2026), inspectors found outcomes for prisoners were not sufficiently good for respect, purposeful activity and preparation for release; reasonably good for safety. It held 1,253 people at the time, against an operational capacity of 1,285.
Healthy prison tests: inspectors grade four areas from 1 (poor) to 4 (good).
Inspection history
Safety: reasonably good · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: not sufficiently good · Preparation for release: not sufficiently good Read our story
Safety: good · Respect: reasonably good · Purposeful activity: not sufficiently good · Rehabilitation and release planning: reasonably good Read our story
Outcomes worsened in three of four areas at the expanded East Midlands training prison. Inspectors found capable leaders, but only two of 15 earlier concerns fully resolved and three self-inflicted deaths since 2023.
The inspectorate's report on HMP Stocken, published in May 2023, found that violence had fallen and most men were back in activity. Inspectors criticised the education provider, dirty wings and poor family contact.
Prison News staff
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