Woodhill inspection report 2021
Report for Woodhill Prison
Summary
Since we last inspected Woodhill in 2018 the establishment had transitioned from a core local prison to a category B training prison. It had retained several remanded category A prisoners, as well as the operation of several specialist units, and remained a complex and high-risk institution. Relatively modern – built about 30 years ago – the prison comprises a series of house blocks within a secure campus in Milton Keynes. At the time of our inspection the prison held approximately 500 men, about 70 below its operational capacity; this was a consequence of both COVID-19 mitigation and staff shortages. Our findings at this inspection were disappointing. As in 2018, outcomes in safety and purposeful activity were poor, while outcomes in respect and rehabilitation and release planning had deteriorated and were now not sufficiently good.