Inspectors found the prison for foreign national men reasonably safe and respectful, but late Home Office decisions, drugs and ageing buildings held back progress.
In March 2026, the Chief Inspector of Prisons issued a second Urgent Notification for HMP Woodhill, warning that the jail had worsened since 2023 despite substantial extra support.
The Chief Inspector of Prisons said the Isle of Sheppey prison received the lowest scores of his five years in post. Drones brought in drugs, violence was among the highest in England and Wales, and many men spent most of the day locked up.
HMPPS guidance taking effect on 1 April automatically excludes people with certain convictions from prison roles. Charities want decisions based on individual risk rather than offence type.
Daniel Kerr, who was on remand, died at HMP & YOI Polmont on 8 March. The establishment faced heavy criticism after an inquiry into two earlier deaths there.
Lord Timpson took on 5asideCHESS ambassador David Breakspear at a session designed to show Parliamentarians how chess can benefit people in prison.
A prisoner admitted the manslaughter of Dennis Green, who died two weeks after a punch to the head on a wing at HMP Fosse Way in August 2025.
Research commissioned by the University and College Union found high stress among prison educators, driven by drugs, disrupted classes, racism and isolation.
A bulletin from HM Inspectorate of Probation finds that unsuitable placements and short stays are hampering the hostels that house high-risk people after their release from prison.
An impact assessment for the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which would end jury trials for some defendants, projects a peak of about 900 extra prisoners in 2033.
