HMP Leyhill originally opened with hutted accommodation in 1946 (it was formerly a United States Army Air Forces wartime hospital) and was the first independent, minimum security prison in England and Wales and has no perimeter security fence.
The prison is run by HMPS as part of the South West region and has a capacity of 555, the #1 governor is Steve Hodson, who has been in charge since July 2020.
Accommodation
- Ash unit holds 214 prisoners
- Beech unit holds 209 prisoners and has a facility for prisoners with disabilities and complex needs. The shielding unit, with a capacity of 24, is located here.
- Cedar unit currently undergoing building work
- Cedar unit 4, 40 prisoners
- The establishment has a purpose-built palliative care unit which can house two residents in palliative care.