The prison was given an Independent Review of Progress in October 2025, 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 Ranby is a category C training and resettlement prison in Nottinghamshire, run by HM Prison and Probation Service, holding around 1,000 men against an operational capacity that had been temporarily reduced by up to 48 places. A full inspection in February 2025 found all four healthy prison tests had declined to not sufficiently good, down from Good or reasonably good three years earlier, with drones bringing in large amounts of contraband cited as a major driver. This Independent Review of Progress, carried out in October 2025, checks progress against the concerns raised then rather than re-scoring the four healthy prison tests.
Inspectors found a new governor and visible frontline managers had brought clear improvement plans, including a prisoner-led cell-refresh scheme on two houseblocks. A new healthcare provider had taken over, cutting GP waiting times from as long as eight weeks to an average of five days, and reasonable progress had been made on living conditions, health and wellbeing partnerships, and time out of cell. Ofsted judged the prison had made significant progress on its reading strategy and personal development curriculum, and off-wing activity participation had edged up.
Inspectors nonetheless found insufficient progress on security, with drug testing positivity having risen further to around 40% and drones still bringing contraband onto the wings; some windows still lacked secure grilles. Medicine administration remained poor, with patients still experiencing delays and hatches sometimes left unsupervised. Offender management caseloads remained high and contact with prisoners was described as limited and lacking focus, a particular concern given the unit had also lost a senior probation officer. Inspectors said they found no examples of notable positive practice during the visit.
Charlie Taylor
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
November 2025
To read the full reports, go to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website or follow the links below:
| Independent Review of Progress report, HM Inspectorate of Prisons review of progress at HMP Ranby (20–22 October 2025, published 24 November 2025) | Inspection report (PDF), Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Ranby by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (10–20 February 2025, published 19 May 2025) |
| Easy read summary of the 2025 inspection report | Action plan, HM Prison and Probation Service action plan in response to the 2025 inspection of HMP Ranby |