Last inspectedMarch 2025Full inspection, unannounced
Source: HM Inspectorate of Prisons report published 16 June 2025; visiting details from GOV.UK · last checked 29 October 2026
Latest inspection
At its last full inspection (March 2025; report published June 2025), inspectors found outcomes for prisoners were not sufficiently good for safety, respect and purposeful activity; reasonably good for preparation for release. It held 1,025 people at the time, against an operational capacity of 1,043. An independent review of progress was published in March 2026.
Safety: not sufficiently good · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: not sufficiently good · Preparation for release: reasonably good Read our story
Safety: not sufficiently good · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: not sufficiently good · Rehabilitation and release planning: not sufficiently good Read our story
Inspectors found drugs flown in by drone were readily available at HMP Elmley, while late-night arrivals and bare cells marked early days in custody. Preparation for release improved to reasonably good.
The inspectorate's report on HMP Elmley, published in June 2022, praised good staff relationships and daily visits but found poor education, rising use of force and the most complaints of any local prison.
Prison News staff
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