News
HMP Downview improves to good for safety but release support falls short
Inspectors found a safe, decent women's prison with excellent key work, but staff shortages left too many women leaving without a settled home.
Prison profile
HMP & YOI Downview
Women's prison Public (HMPPS)
Population302of 356 operational places (85%)
Last inspectedFebruary 2026Full inspection
Latest inspection
At its last full inspection (February 2026; report published May 2026), inspectors found outcomes for women were reasonably good for respect, purposeful activity and preparation for release; good for safety. It held 302 women at the time, against an operational capacity of 356.
Read our story Read the inspection report
Healthy prison tests: inspectors grade four areas from 1 (poor) to 4 (good).
Inspection history
- Safety: good · Respect: reasonably good · Purposeful activity: reasonably good · Preparation for release: reasonably good Read our story
- Safety: reasonably good · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: reasonably good · Rehabilitation and release planning: reasonably good Read our story
Our reporting
News
Downview women’s prison criticised over rude and dismissive staff, inspectors found
The inspectorate's report on HMP & YOI Downview, published in October 2021, found respect had declined to not sufficiently good, though education and workshops were reopening faster than at other prisons.