News
News in brief: August 2026
11 shorter prison and justice stories from August 2026, gathered in one place.
Prisons
Reporting of record on prisons across England and Wales — presented without partisan framing, checked twice before publication.
News
Former HMP Preston nurse struck off as ex-prison psychologist cleared to return
A nurse jailed for smuggling drugs and phones into HMP Preston has been removed from the register, while a psychologist suspended over a relationship with a former patient can practise again.
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MoJ defends HMP Millsike ramp-up as 344 places sit empty
The Ministry of Justice says new prisons need time to build up safely, as scrutiny grows over hundreds of vacant cells at HMP Millsike and plans for flexible escort roles.
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HMP Garth strengthens suicide prevention training after death of Brendan Teague
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman found staff could not reasonably have identified Brendan Teague as at imminent risk, as HMP Garth reported improvements to its suicide and self-harm training.
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Thirteen prisoners hold 12-hour yard protest over time locked up at HMP Isle of Man
A protest about long hours in cells at HMP Isle of Man ended when staff in protective gear cleared an exercise yard. The island’s Department of Home Affairs is investigating.
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HMP Risley good for safety but too few men have meaningful activity, inspectors found
Inspectors found the Cheshire prison, which now holds only men convicted of sexual offences, calmer and safer than in 2023, but release outcomes and activity places still fell short.
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Nine prisons still record radon above safe level, government data shows
Freedom of Information data show radon gas above the accepted safe measure at nine prisons, including Dartmoor. The Ministry of Justice says it has put mitigation measures in place.
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HMP Five Wells calmer and safer, but resettlement work falls behind, inspectors find
Inspectors found a stable, well-led prison where violence had fallen sharply. Self-harm stayed high, health care waits were unacceptable, and work to cut reoffending had not kept pace with a doubling in releases.
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HMP Liverpool refurbishment review calls for better planning and more communal space
An evaluation commissioned by the Ministry of Justice found refurbished cells at HMP Liverpool were cleaner and brighter, but said consultation, accessibility and contingency planning needed to improve.
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Ombudsman finds failings in care of two men who died at Garth and Wandsworth
Two reports from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman found missed chances to support men at risk of suicide, including suicide and self-harm monitoring at HMP Wandsworth that ended after 16 hours.