HMP Whatton

HMP Whatton is a Category C prison near Bingham in Nottinghamshire that specialises entirely in the treatment of men convicted of sexual offences, making it one of the largest establishments of its kind in Europe. It opened in 1966 as a detention centre for young offenders before being repurposed in 1990 to its current specialist role. Most of the roughly 836 men held there are serving sentences of four years or more, around two-thirds are over 40, and all must volunteer for and engage with accredited treatment programmes as a condition of their placement.

The Independent Monitoring Board’s 2024-25 annual report found the prison running at full capacity throughout the year, with prisoners generally reporting that they felt safe and no self-inflicted deaths recorded. The Board did flag that some of the older wings, dating back to the 1960s, remain “not fit for purpose” and lack the en-suite facilities found in newer accommodation, including a modular wing added in 2023. Education provision is heavily geared towards basic literacy, with around 69% of assessed prisoners scoring at or below Level 1 in English, alongside vocational training in trades such as horticulture, catering and manufacturing.

Anyone with a family member or friend at HMP Whatton can use the contact details above to get in touch with the prison directly for the latest information on visits and welfare support.