| General Details | Inspections |
| Visits and getting there | Work and Education |
| Local News | |
General Information
| Name of Prison | HMP Standford Hill |
| Address: | Church Road Eastchurch Sheerness Kent ME12 4AA |
| Other contact details: | |
| Web Site: | |
| Email: | |
| Main switchboard: | 01795 884500 |
| At Risk hotline: | |
| Fax: | 01795 884638 |
| Visits booking number: | 0300 060 6603. |
| Visits booking email: | |
| Visits booking txt number: | |
| Type of Prison: | Male Cat D |
The prison is run by HMPS as part of the Sheppey Cluster of prisons, and is part of the Kent & Sussex region. It has a capacity of 464, and the #1 governor is DawnMauldon, who has been in charge since November 2018.
HMP&YOI Standford Hill is a Category D open resettlement prison on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, built around 1950 on the site of a former RAF station in an area often described as the birthplace of British aviation. It is part of the Sheppey Cluster of prisons and has an operational capacity of around 464, organised into an induction unit, longer-term accommodation, and dedicated pre-release facilities to support men as they approach the end of a determinate sentence.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons visited in October 2024 and found Standford Hill had maintained the strong ratings it achieved in 2019, rating it “good” for safety, purposeful activity, and preparation for release, with respect “reasonably good”. Inspectors described a very safe prison where men were motivated by a decent quality of life and clear opportunities to progress towards release, including good access to employment and resettlement support. The main areas flagged for improvement were cleanliness in some communal residential areas and a need for closer supervision of prisoners in wing work roles.
As an open prison, Standford Hill often allows for day releases and more flexible contact than closed establishments — the details above are the best starting point for confirming current visiting arrangements.