HMP Long Lartin, Inspections

The prison was given a full inspection in February 2026, the full report can be read on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website, just follow the links below. In their latest report the inspectors said:

HMP Long Lartin is a category A high-security prison near Evesham, Worcestershire, run by HM Prison and Probation Service, holding 537 prisoners against an operational capacity of 564, most serving long or indeterminate sentences and assessed as posing a very high risk of harm. Inspectors rated safety, respect and purposeful activity all not sufficiently good and preparation for release reasonably good, all four unchanged from the previous inspection. The prison was described as well-led and making progress, though outcomes had not improved enough to move any of the scores.

The positive mandatory drug test rate fell sharply from 27% to 8%, and self-harm fell by 31% since the last inspection, though it remained higher than at similar prisons. Average time in segregation fell from 61 to 39 days, and notable positive practice was found in gym and library enrichment, outreach tutoring for segregated and isolated prisoners, and Shannon Trust literacy mentoring.

Inspectors nonetheless found four self-inflicted deaths since the last inspection, and that 39% of prisoners felt unsafe at the time of inspection. Minority ethnic and disabled prisoners were substantially more likely to report bullying or victimisation by staff than other prisoners. Mental health hospital transfers routinely breached national guidelines, with one patient waiting 277 days, and around half of workshops were closed at any time due to staff shortages. Only seven prisoners were released into the community in the previous year, reflecting the prison’s role holding some of the country’s most serious offenders.

Charlie Taylor
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
April 2026

HMP Long Lartin

To read the full reports, go to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website or follow the links below: