HMIP Reports, HMP Prescoed

The prison was given a full inspection in May 2025, jointly with the linked HMP Usk, 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 Prescoed is a category D open resettlement prison in Monmouthshire, run by HM Prison and Probation Service, holding 249 men against an operational capacity of 260. Inspectors rated safety, respect, purposeful activity and preparation for release all Good or reasonably good, unchanged from the previous inspection, marking the third consecutive cycle in which Prescoed has held the same ratings across the board. Charlie Taylor praised both Prescoed and its linked site for being focused on rehabilitating those in their care.

There were no recorded assaults at Prescoed during the inspection period, and use of force, self-harm and drug use were all very low, with just a 3.25% positive rate on mandatory drug testing. Employment outcomes on release exceeded targets, with 61% of prisoners in work against a 50% goal and 71% still employed six months after release, supported by the prison’s working farm and strong staff-prisoner relationships.

Inspectors nonetheless raised release on temporary licence as a priority concern, with waits of up to 16 weeks not unusual and the proportion of prisoners receiving it falling to under half, down from around 60% previously. Twelve per cent of prisoners said they felt unsafe, well above the 4% average for comparable open prisons, and there had been eight absconds over the preceding four years. Communal areas were not always adequately cleaned, telephone access was limited to just eight handsets, and clinical governance and incident reporting in health services needed strengthening.

Charlie Taylor
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
August 2025

HMP Prescoed

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