Winchester inspection report 2026

Summary

Report on an announced inspection of HMP Winchester by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons 9–19 February 2026. The challenges at Winchester prison are well known: a deteriorating and overcrowded Victorian site, a transient population with complex needs, staff shortages and a history of instability across key functions. In 2024 these factors, as well as the lack of leadership grip we observed, had caused me to issue an Urgent Notification for what was then a prison in crisis. At the time we assessed outcomes as poor in three of our healthy prison tests, and only in preparation for release were outcomes judged to be reasonably good. At this follow up, announced inspection we have been encouraged by the progress leaders had made to stabilise the prison. However, many of the weaknesses we described previously persisted and outcomes remained poor in purposeful activity and insufficient in safety and respect.

Inspection ratings