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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

This Black History Month, we look back to our thematic on the experiences of black prisoners and staff, and the continuing need to tackle discrimination and inequality in prisons. Read the thematic: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

HM Inspectorate of Prisons graphic with the heading: “In 2022 our thematic review, ‘The experiences of adult black male prisoners and black prison staff’, we found:” Bullet points read: “Strong mistrust between white staff and black prisoners undermined confidence in anti-racism measures.” “Many black prisoners reported ongoing racial discrimination.” “Black prisoners were subjected to disproportionately high levels of force.” “Staff often relied on assumptions about gang affiliation rather than individual risk assessments.” “Many black staff reported stress and barriers to career progression.” “Many black staff also believed black prisoners were treated unfairly, but worried supporting black prisoners could lead to accusations of collusion or corruption.”

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP Forest Bank at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

Photograph of a prison visits hall with the HMI Prisons email address overlaid on top.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

HMP Leyhill: A well-led prison with a strong rehabilitative culture Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne... See the healthy prison scores:

Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Leyhill when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the scores for Safety and Respect had remained good, that the score for Purposeful Activity had improved from poor to not sufficiently good, and that the score for Preparation for Release had improved from reasonably good to good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

HMP Highpoint: Easy availability of drugs destabilising the prison Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne... See the healthy prison scores:

Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Highpoint when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the score for Safety had declined from reasonably good to not sufficiently good, that the score for Respect had declined from good to reasonably good, that the score for Purposeful Activity had remained poor, and that the score for Preparation for Release had remained not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🎙️ Today we publish the latest episode of The Prison Inspectors. This time, @charlie_taylor6 is joined by Angus Jones to explore why standards in the youth estate remain so poor. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or follow this link: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/why-are...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Tinsley House IRC: Dealing with challenges of changed population Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne... See the healthy establishment scores:

Bar chart visualising the healthy establishment scores for Tinsley House IRC when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. The scores in three categories – Safety, Activities, and Preparation for removal and release – had remained reasonably good. The score for Respect had declined from reasonably good to not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP Bristol at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

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Russell Webster @russellwebster.com · 22/09/2026

Two in five children feel unsafe in custody @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social surveys of children in custody finds standards generally poor with violence commonplace. www.russellwebster.com/two-in-five-...

russellwebster.com

Two in five children feel unsafe in custody

HMI Prisons surveys of children in custody finds standards generally poor with violence commonplace.

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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today's @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on children in custody makes for very depressing reading. The government must fix this, focusing on getting young people out of their cells and into high-quality education. hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk

Children in custody 2025–26 – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

In this year's Children in custody report, many of the issues identified in our 2024-25 inspections remain. Find out more about some of our key findings in the infographic below. Read the report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

HM Inspectorate of Prisons infographic summarising findings from Children in custody 2025-26. The infographic highlights ongoing concerns about safety, drugs, education and family contact. It states that 75% of young offender institution inspections assessed safety as poor or not sufficiently good, while 79% of children reported spending more than two hours out of their room on weekdays. The graphic includes a quote from a child at Werrington calling for education to be prioritised and for more time out of cell. It also shows that 41% of children found it easy for family and friends to visit and 43% said someone was helping them prepare for release. Demographic information shows that 97% of surveyed children identified as male, two in five were unsentenced or on remand, and several groups, including children from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with care experience, remained overrepresented in custody.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today we publish Children in custody 2025-26. Many children face violence, long periods locked in cells and inadequate education provision. Read the report here: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo... And the press release: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/feeling...

Cover graphic for HM Inspectorate of Prisons' report Children in custody 2025-26: An analysis of 12-18-year-olds’ perceptions of their experiences in secure training centres and young offender institutions, published in September 2026. The graphic shows a map of England with the locations of five establishments included in the report highlighted and labelled: Parc, Werrington, Wetherby, Oakhill and Feltham A. Each location is linked to a photograph of the establishment. Text on the cover reads: “Children in custody 2025-26. An analysis of 12-18-year-olds’ perceptions of their experiences in secure training centres and young offender institutions. September 2026.”

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Our team are at holding facilities at Manston, Western Jet Foil and Kent Intake Units at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the facilities, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

Photograph of a visiting room with the HMI Prisons email address overlaid on top.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

HMP Leicester: clear progress, but prisoner-on-prisoner violence, poor living conditions and mental health transfers still concerns. Read the report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/report-...

Report on an independent review of progress at HMP Leicester by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, 10–12 August 2026

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

HMP Bure: Doing well in some areas, but more to do in others Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne... See the healthy prison scores:

Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Bure when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the scores for Safety and Respect had remained good, and that the score for Preparation for Release had remained reasonably good. The score for Purposeful Activity had improved from poor to not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

🎙️ In this episode of The Prison Inspectors, Charlie Taylor is joined by former Chief Inspector Nick Hardwick to reflect on the challenges and progress in prisons over the last 16 years. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/reflect...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

📚 This #InternationalLiteracyDay, we're highlighting the importance of reading and literacy in prisons, and examples of positive practice we've found during inspections. Read more below and in our thematic: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

📢 We're recruiting a Communications Officer to join our small, busy team. 📝 We're looking for someone with strong writing, editorial, digital and organisational skills. 🔍 Find out more and apply: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/current-vaca...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP Peterborough (Men) at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

HMP High Down: encouraging progress but drugs remained a major threat. Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/report-... See the healthy prison scores:

Bar chart comparing quality ratings across four categories: Safety, Respect, Purposeful activity, and Preparation for release for years 2023 and 2026. Safety increased from not sufficiently good to reasonably good, respect remained reasonably good, purposeful activity improved from poor to not sufficiently good and preparation for released stayed not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

"The population will remain extremely high and the ongoing problem of overcrowding will remain": HMI Prisons responds to plans to increase prison spaces Read our full response here: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/the-pop...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

🔎 We are looking for a Health Care Inspector for prisons and other forms of custody 🗓️ Apply by 15 September Find out more: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/current-vaca...

- Registered healthcare professional
- Clinical experience in criminal justice health and social care settings
- Experience using clinical governance systems
- Competent in System One patient records
- Senior-level experience in health or criminal justice health services
- Experience developing or influencing health and social care policy
- Willing to travel extensively, including week-long trips
- Experience working with senior stakeholders
- Interest in working across custodial settings, particularly prisons
- Understanding of and commitment to the Inspectorate’s work and values
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Comfortable working in challenging environments.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

HMP Lindholme: Widespread availability of drugs a major problem Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne... See the healthy prison scores:

Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Lindholme when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the score for Safety had remained not sufficiently good, that the score for Respect had declined from reasonably good to not sufficiently good, and that the scores for Purposeful Activity and Preparation for Release had improved from poor to not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

🌡️Record temperatures. High humidity. Severe weather warnings. But what does that mean for prisons? Inspector Rachel Badman explores how prolonged heatwaves affect the people who live and work inside our jails. Read here: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/feeling...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

HMP Altcourse: strengthened oversight, governance and use of data, but drug use remained too high. Read our inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/reports...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

HMP Risley: Settling after a period of transition Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne... See the healthy prison scores:

Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Risley when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the score for safety had improved from reasonably good to good, the score for respect had improved from not sufficiently good to reasonably good, the score for purposeful activity had improved from poor to not sufficiently good, and the score for preparation for release had remained not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

HMP Five Wells: Real progress made and improvements evident Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne...

Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Five Wells when it was inspected in 2024 and 2026. It shows that the scores for Safety and Respect improved from not sufficiently good to reasonably good, the score for Purposeful activity improved from poor to not sufficiently good, and the score for Preparation for release declined from reasonably good to not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

🔎 We are looking for more fee-paid Healthcare Inspectors. 🗓️ Apply by 23:59pm Tuesday 1st September. Find out how here: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/current-vaca...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

This #InternationalYouthDay, we recognise both the challenges and positive practice in children’s custody. Our inspections continue to find weaknesses in safety and education, but also examples of good work that help children develop skills and a sense of purpose.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP Spring Hill at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP & YOI Deerbolt at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

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Solitary Confinement @solitaryconf.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

People with severe mental illness who need urgent treatment are remanded to prison while waiting for a hospital bed, often in #segregation (solitary confinement), for very long periods. Agree with @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social that #urgent action is needed to address this issue.

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Liberty Choir UK @libertychoiruk.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

“Prisons shouldn’t become the default destination for individuals whose primary need is urgent mental health treatment.” More must be done to ensure mentally unwell individuals receive the care they need. Learn more 👇🏻

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

People with severe mental illness who need urgent treatment are being remanded to prison and left waiting excessive periods for hospital places. Last month, Charlie Taylor wrote to ministers calling for urgent action. Read the press release: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/chief-i...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP Bedford at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

HMP Birmingham: Still too much violence and too many drugs Read our inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne...

Social media postcard for the publication of the report of HMIP’s independent review of progress at HMP Birmingham, featuring a photograph of a wing landing at the prison and the dates of the inspection.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Custody facilities in Crown Courts, Royal Courts of Justice and immigration and asylum chambers in London: Persistent failures in investment, maintenance and cleaning Read the report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm...

Social media postcard for HMIP’s inspection of Custody facilities in Crown Courts, Royal Courts of Justice and immigration and asylum chambers in London featuring a photograph of the exterior of the Royal Courts of Justice and the dates of the inspection.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Last week our researchers conducted a survey at HMP Stocken at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP Bedford at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

HMP & YOI New Hall: calm atmosphere, strong relationships and good support under respected new governor. Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/reports... See the healthy prison scores:

Bar chart showing the healthy prison outcomes at New Hall in 2026 compared with 2022. Safety had remained good, respect and preparation for release had both risen from reasonably good to good, and purposeful activity had remained not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

HMP & YOI Brinsford: Violence and drug use among serious problems Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne...

Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP & YOI Brinsford when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the score for Safety declined from not sufficiently good to poor, the score for Respect remained not sufficiently good, the score for Purposeful Activity improved from poor to not sufficiently good, and the score for Preparation for release declined from reasonably good to not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Today is #SamaritansAwarenessDay. Samaritans-trained prison “Listeners” can provide vital support to people in crisis, but our inspections show access is not always consistent. Find out more below ⬇️

Graphic marking Samaritans Awareness Day on 24 July. The HM Inspectorate of Prisons and Samaritans logos appear at the top. Text explains that Samaritans train prisoners to provide emotional support to their peers through the Listener scheme and that prison Expectations require prisoners to be made aware of the Samaritans phone number and the Listener scheme. A photograph shows a person walking along a prison corridor wearing a green T-shirt with “Listener” printed on the back.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Today we publish a special episode of The Prison Inspectors bringing you the audio from our 2025-26 Annual Report launch, where Charlie speaks to @russellwebster.com about the challenges facing prisons. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/2025-26...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Our researchers are conducting a survey at HMP & YOI Chelmsford at the start of an inspection. If you have information about the establishment, please email: hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

HMP Ashfield: A well-run prison with committed leaders and staff Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm... And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne... See the healthy prison scores:

Bar chart visualising the healthy prison scores for HMP Ashfield when it was inspected in 2023 and 2026. It shows that the scores for Safety, Respect and Preparation for Release had all remained good. The score for purposeful activity had improved from poor to not sufficiently good.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Today we publish 'Women’s experience of immigration detention', a thematic highlighting how positive treatment is often undermined by gaps in support. Read the thematic: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo... And press release: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/positiv...

HM Inspectorate of Prisons graphic about women in immigration detention. The image shows an immigration detention centre building on the left and a map of the UK on the right marking immigration detention locations. The headline reads: “Positive treatment of women in immigration detention undermined by gaps in support.” The map highlights women held at Dungavel (12 women), Derwentside (55 women) and Yarl’s Wood (45 women), alongside other detention and short-term holding facilities across the UK.

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Border Force short-term holding facilities: some progress, but significant weaknesses remained. Read the report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo... And press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/reports...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

HMP Featherstone: fall in violence and self-harm, but illicit drugs remained a major challenge. Read the report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo... And press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/reports...

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HMI Prisons @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

In our 2025-26 Annual Report launch Charlie also spoke about how the best prisons understand the rehabilitative importance of families. Watch the full launch here: youtu.be/otavuoOhYYY?... Read the 2025-26 Annual Report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

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