Leicester inspection report 2025
Report for Leicester Prison
Summary
HMP Leicester, a small reception prison built in the 19th century and located in the heart of the city, held just 328 adult men at the time of inspection. While the prison continued to deliver reasonably good outcomes in our healthy prison tests for respect and preparation for release, outcomes in safety and purposeful activity had deteriorated. High turnover and the transience of the population shaped much of what we found. Recorded violence remained too high, as did the use of force, and the prison had the highest assault rate among comparable reception prisons. The positive mandatory drug testing rate was 29% and there were persistent delays in providing substance misuse support. Drug strategy meetings lacked effective leadership or meaningful follow up action.