Exeter inspection report 2026
Report for Exeter Prison
Summary
HMP Exeter remained a prison facing deep rooted and longstanding challenges, but one where determined leadership and a more stable staff group was beginning to make a real difference. When we last inspected in 2022, the prison was in serious difficulty, culminating in an Urgent Notification that highlighted grave weaknesses in safety, decency and the protection of those most at risk. At that time, the prison was struggling to keep people safe, and too many were spending long periods locked behind their doors with little to do. This inspection found a prison that was still far from where it needs to be, but one that was no longer overwhelmed. Leaders had brought clarity and purpose to the work of the jail, and the benefits of this were visible in several important areas. The governor, who took up post in 2023, had commendably shown a level of commitment to the prison that was desperately needed; he had built a leadership team with a shared sense of direction, which combined with improvement in staffing stability, had been striking.