Inspectors returned to HMP Leeds in March 2026 to check on progress since their highly critical report of October 2025. They found some improvements but reported “insufficient progress” in key areas, especially safety and drug use.
Charlie Taylor, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, praised Governor Diane Lewis, who took up the post in October 2025. He credited her “drive and determination through her proactive leadership style” and said she had made significant improvements.
However, he said continuing overcrowding was holding back the efforts of staff. So too, he said, were “high rates of drug use, self-inflicted deaths, and lack of time out of cell for many men”.
Leeds reportedly has the highest number of self-inflicted deaths of any adult prison in the UK. Mr Taylor also raised concern that many men had started misusing substances while inside. He recorded a high rate of self-harm for a reception prison.
On drugs, he noted that the security team now works well with other departments. Together they develop intelligence and disrupt groups of prisoners who organise and distribute drugs around the jail. The drug-free unit is developing well and offers counselling and support. Even so, Mr Taylor described the problem as still concerning.
According to Mr Taylor, inspectors had received credible reports that some people deliberately got themselves rearrested after release. Their aim was to smuggle drugs into the prison and sell them to other prisoners. He added that “weaknesses” remain at the prison entrance.
There were positive findings too. Inspectors found that the new head of reducing reoffending was making progress. Strong relationships with the NHS were also showing signs of helping prisoners with mental health problems.
Mr Taylor summed up the progress as positive but said key improvements were still required.
HMP Leeds is a category B reception prison for men in Yorkshire and the Humber. Its full inspection in October 2025 rated safety and purposeful activity as poor. Respect and preparation for release received ratings of not sufficiently good.
