Last inspectedOctober 2023Full inspection, unannounced
Source: HM Inspectorate of Prisons report published 8 January 2024; visiting details from GOV.UK · last checked 29 October 2026
Latest inspection
At its last full inspection (October 2023; report published January 2024), inspectors found outcomes for prisoners were poor for purposeful activity; reasonably good for safety, respect and preparation for release. It held 1,139 people at the time, against an operational capacity of 1,160. It is run by Serco.
Healthy prison tests: inspectors grade four areas from 1 (poor) to 4 (good).
Inspection history
Safety: reasonably good · Respect: reasonably good · Purposeful activity: poor · Preparation for release: reasonably good Read our story
Safety: reasonably good · Respect: reasonably good · Purposeful activity: not sufficiently good · Rehabilitation and release planning: reasonably good Read our story
Inspectors said the Serco-run Staffordshire prison was failing in its role as a training prison, though they praised its therapeutic community, staff relationships and family support.
The inspectorate's report on HMP Dovegate, published in February 2020, found notable improvements in safety and release planning, though drug availability and too little purposeful activity held the Staffordshire prison back.
Prison News staff
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