LEYHILL Open Prison has been praised for its “strong rehabilitative culture” in an inspection report.
An unannounced inspection was carried out at the category D men’s open prison near Cromhall over ten days in July by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and a team of 17 inspectors.
It was the first inspection at Leyhill since 2023, and found the prison to be “well-run”, with little violence and new prisoners given good help to settle in.
The report says HMP Leyhill, which held 455 prisoners at the time of the inspection, has a strong sense of community that offers many prisoners genuine opportunities to help rebuild their lives.
The report said violence and self-harm were rare and drug availability had reduced.
It said release on temporary licence was used effectively, with 99.7% of releases completed successfully.
Five prisoners absconded in a year
However the inspectors noted there had been five incidents of prisoners absconding in the 12 months before their visit, although this “remained lower than in comparable prisons”.
They said: “Leaders had responded appropriately to these incidents and there had been no further absconds in the months immediately preceding the inspection.”
Earlier this year the Voice reported that on New Year’s Day three prisoners absconded together from Leyhill – two of them stayed at large for six days before being rearrested.
The report found officers didn’t use force on prisoners often and there was good support to stop prisoners harming themselves.
Senior leaders were “visible and approachable”, staff retention was good and there was a “strong focus” on staff well-being.
Inspectors said leaders listened to prisoners’ views. Older men, former members of the Armed Forces and neurodivergent prisoners were said to be well supported.
Prisoners at Leyhill thought the food was “good” and prison buildings and gardens were well looked after. Access to the library and exercise were also described as “good”.
Weaknesses
However, inspectors said there were weaknesses at Leyhill. The report said the curriculum did not offer enough qualifications or self-employment training, and too many men failed to obtain employment when they were released.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: “Education, skills and work provision continued to fall short of what we expect in an open prison.
“Prisoners did not have access to the full range of training they needed, too few gained substantive qualifications and progress in work was not recorded effectively.
“As a result, too many prisoners left Leyhill without employment, despite the prison’s otherwise considerable efforts to improve opportunities.
“Leyhill is a positive and well-run prison that offered many prisoners genuine opportunities to help rebuild their lives.
“If leaders can address the weaknesses we have identified, the establishment will be even better placed to fulfil its important resettlement role.”
‘Strong leadership’
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This report recognises the strong leadership in place at HMP Leyhill, good practice in preparing offenders for release and effective action on drugs.
“We remain committed to increasing access to education, work and other purposeful activity, while improving rehabilitation through targeted reforms and sharing best practice across the estate.”
Earlier this year the Ministry of Justice was given planning permission to build two new houseblocks at Leyhill, increasing its operational capacity by 71% to 811 inmates.