HMP & YOI Doncaster

A privately run reception prison

In shortDoncaster is a Serco-run category B reception and resettlement prison, opened in 1994, so its staff are employed by the operator rather than HMPPS.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) said in its 2024 to 2025 report that the contract was up for renewal; we have not verified the outcome.

HMIP describes the prison as a busy category B reception and resettlement prison for young adult men aged 18 to 25 and adult men. See our prison categories explained guide.

• Its head is called a director because Doncaster is private
• The IMB says a Controller from HMPPS is based on site to monitor the contract

Who is held and how it is arranged

In shortDoncaster held 1,115 men at the September 2025 inspection, over half unsentenced, with about 700 sharing cells designed for one.

• Held (September 2025)1,115 / 1,145Men against operational capacity; certified normal capacity of 738
• August 2026 bulletin1,123Held
• AdmissionsOver 5,500In the previous 12 months; about 200 releases a month
• Unsentenced55%14% had been recalled; about half had been at the prison for three months or less
• Sharing cells designed for oneAbout 700In cells that lacked privacy and lockable cabinets; a priority concern

The residential units are numbered houseblocks, including early days centres, an incentivised substance-free living unit, a complex needs unit called the Loft, a social care unit called the Annexe and a segregation unit.

The IMB says every cell has a phone and an in-cell computer system that lets prisoners order canteen, book visits and healthcare appointments, and message family.

What inspectors found in 2025

In shortHMIP found safety and respect reasonably good, release preparation good and purposeful activity not sufficiently good, all unchanged from 2022.

• SafetyReasonably good
• RespectReasonably good
• Purposeful activityNot sufficiently goodOfsted: education, skills and work requires improvement overall
• Release preparationGood
• Staff treated them with respect63%Of prisoners surveyed; about 17% locked in cell during the core working day

HMIP inspected without notice from 8 to 18 September 2025, and its report was published on 8 December 2025. Inspectors identified five priority concerns and five key concerns.

What the Independent Monitoring Board reported for 2024 to 2025

In shortThe IMB said management kept the prison safe and calm despite running at roughly 55% over certified normal capacity, but violence had risen.

• Over certified capacityRoughly 55%
• Board operating capacityAbout 40%Which it said limited its monitoring

The IMB's report for 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025 was published in February 2026. It said prisoner violence had risen, which it linked to overcrowding, more out-of-area prisoners and gang-related issues.

It said a decency programme had included repainting houseblocks, cell repairs and upgraded showers, and that a May 2025 HMPPS quality of prison life survey placed Doncaster first among comparable reception prisons.

• Long delays in moving mentally unwell prisoners to secure hospitals
• High numbers of released prisoners with no fixed abode, unanswered cell bells and property problems
• A vetting backlog causing lengthy delays for new officers and staff, which it raised with the Minister

Working at Doncaster

In shortDoncaster staff are employed by Serco, so HMPPS pay bands and supplements do not apply, and HMPPS rated its 2025/26 performance 3, good.

• HMPPS rating3: goodAnnual performance ratings published 30 July 2026, listed under contracted prisons: 73.6%

The HMPPS pay bands and market supplement list on our prison officer pay bands and pay hub pages do not apply here, and we do not give a pay zone or supplement. Terms, grades and starting pay are set by the operator, and we have not verified Serco's current pay for custody roles.