Haverigg inspection report 2021
Report for Haverigg Prison
Summary
Situated near Millom in Cumbria, and one of the more remote establishments in the English prison system, HMP Haverigg is a sprawling former RAF station that had been a category C training prison since 1967. A prison with a troubled history and one that has been the subject of much criticism from the Inspectorate in recent years, particularly in relation to safety and control, significant change was introduced in late 2019 when HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), greatly influenced by a respected former governor, redesignated Haverigg as an open prison. This, however, unfortunately coincided with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The prison’s response to the pandemic, while maintaining the momentum behind the transition, has therefore been the main strategic challenge for the establishment over the last 16 months. It is greatly to the credit of the acting governor, her management team and the staff and prisoners of Haverigg, that they have progressed so well. Capable of holding about 480 prisoners, there were just 310 in residence during our inspection.