Prison

The Verne Prison

Category and function

A–D category: Not yet verified.

Predominant function (2025/26): Category C Trainer

Ministry of Justice performance classification. This describes the stated performance year, not a current A–D category or the categories of every prisoner.

Capacity and population

Monthly snapshot: 24 August 2026

644Population
645Operational capacity

Operational capacity is the capacity reported for this prison in the same monthly bulletin.

Official monthly spreadsheet · Ministry of Justice publication

Address and location

HMP The Verne
Verne Common Road
Portland
Dorset
DT5 1EQ

Prison site location
View on the prisons map

Location information checked 13 September 2026.

Independent reports

HM Inspectorate of Prisons reports

The Verne inspection report 2024

14 October 2024

Although HMP The Verne was a generally safe and respectful jail holding 604 prisoners convicted of sexual offences (PCoSOs) at the time of our inspection, this report also reveals some worrying weaknesses in addressing the offending behaviour of many prisoners. With no offending behaviour programmes…

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The Verne inspection report 2020

3 June 2020

with respect and legitimate concerns are responded to. However, there needs to be better partnership work and robust challenge of key partners in order to improve healthcare and activities provision. Peter Clarke CVO OBE QPM HM Chief Inspector of Prisons April 2020 8 HMP The…

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Official prison information