News
Play about three deaths at HMP Woodhill returns to the Edinburgh Fringe
Woodhill, a drama built from the words of bereaved families, is back at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2026. One mother says she fears for those still held at the prison.
Prison profile
HMP Woodhill
Category BHigh security Public (HMPPS)
Population527of 586 operational places (90%)
Last inspectedMarch 2026Full inspection
Latest inspection
At its last full inspection (March 2026; report published June 2026), inspectors found outcomes for prisoners were poor for safety, purposeful activity and preparation for release; not sufficiently good for respect. It held 527 people at the time, against an operational capacity of 586.
Read our story Read the inspection report
Healthy prison tests: inspectors grade four areas from 1 (poor) to 4 (good).
Inspection history
- Safety: poor · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: poor · Preparation for release: poor Read our story
- The Chief Inspector of Prisons formally told the Justice Secretary of urgent and significant concerns. The government must respond publicly within 28 days. Read our story
- Follow-up visit assessing progress against the key concerns from the previous full inspection. Read the report (HM Inspectorate of Prisons, opens external site) ↗
- Safety: poor · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: poor · Rehabilitation and release planning: not sufficiently good Read our story
- The Chief Inspector of Prisons formally told the Justice Secretary of urgent and significant concerns. The government must respond publicly within 28 days. Read our story
- Follow-up visit assessing progress against the key concerns from the previous full inspection. Read the report (HM Inspectorate of Prisons, opens external site) ↗
- Safety: poor · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: poor · Rehabilitation and release planning: not sufficiently good Read our story
Our reporting
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News
Campaigners say new IPP Action Plan misses the mark
The Government's 2026/27 IPP Action Plan introduces prison advocates and four progression prisons, but campaign group UNGRIPP says it is fundamentally flawed.
News
Woodhill inspection finds widespread violence and drug use amid staff shortages
The Chief Inspector of Prisons has published his full report on HMP Woodhill, finding little sign of progress since an Urgent Notification placed the jail in special measures.
News
HMP Woodhill still unsafe, leading to second Urgent Notification from inspectors
Inspectors rated the category B prison poor in three of four areas, with violence, drugs and self-harm still high, and the Chief Inspector of Prisons invoked the urgent notification process for a second time.