Last inspectedAugust 2025Full inspection, unannounced
Source: HM Inspectorate of Prisons report published 27 October 2025; visiting details from GOV.UK · last checked 29 October 2026
Latest inspection
At its last full inspection (August 2025; report published October 2025), inspectors found outcomes for prisoners were poor for purposeful activity; not sufficiently good for safety, respect and preparation for release. It held 1,102 people at the time, against an operational capacity of 1,112. An independent review of progress was published in May 2026.
Safety: not sufficiently good · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: poor · Preparation for release: not sufficiently good Read our story
Safety: reasonably good · Respect: reasonably good · Purposeful activity: poor · Rehabilitation and release planning: not sufficiently good Read our story
Inspectors found drugs flown in by drones were fuelling violence, debt and bullying at the Oxfordshire prison, where over half of men were locked up during the working day.
The inspectorate's report on the Oxfordshire prison, published in February 2023, found it reasonably safe and respectful but with most men locked up for much of the day.
Prison News staff
Affected by anything you have read? Free, confidential support is available.
Samaritans 116 123Prisoners’ Families Helpline 0808 808 2003More help
