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HMP Frankland

Frankland is a high-security men’s prison in Brasside, County Durham. HMPPS places it in the "High Security" functional group. Band 3 prison officer pay here starts at £37,131 on a 39-hour contract (2026/27 rates). Its operational capacity of 846 ranks 4th of 7 in North East (1 = largest).

Jobs at Frankland (HMPPS)Work out my take-home hereCompare with other prisons

HMP Frankland at a glance

  • Its operational capacity of 846 ranks 4th of 7 in North East (1 = largest).
  • Among the 5 prisons in the HMPPS "High Security" functional group with a published capacity, it ranks 1st by size.
  • Its latest full HMIP inspection (report published 8 July 2024) graded safety "reasonably good" and purposeful activity "reasonably good".
  • GOV.UK gives its nearest station as: Durham, then take a taxi or bus to Brasside.
Type
HMP
Holds
Men
Run by
HMPPS (public sector)
Nation
England
Region (geographic)
North East
HMPPS prison region
Long term & High Security NorthWorkforce statistics, June 2026
Town / county
Brasside, Durham, County Durham
Postcode
DH1 5YD
HMPPS functional group
High SecurityA role label, not each prisoner's security category
Officer pay zone
National (all other locations)
Band 3 market supplement
None listedHMPPS pay page, 3 October 2026
Operational capacity
846As at 24 August 2026
Latest HMIP report published
8 July 2024
Nearest railway station (GOV.UK)
Durham, then take a taxi or bus to Brasside

Official description (GOV.UK/SPS/NI Justice): “Frankland is a high-security men’s prison in Brasside, County Durham.” Official page.

A dispersal prison on the edge of Durham

In shortFrankland is a high-security men's prison in Brasside, County Durham, and the first purpose-built dispersal prison.

  • Held, March 2024821Operational capacity 846
  • Category A258Almost one-third of the population
  • Indeterminate sentences66%A further 31% serving 10 years or more

GOV.UK describes Frankland as high security, and HMIP's 2024 report states its task as holding category A and B convicted men and category A remand men.

The IMB's annual report explains that it was the first purpose-built dispersal prison, a design intended to hold category A prisoners who can be moved to other secure prisons at short notice.

The IMB also notes that Frankland is the most northerly high-security prison, which makes it the furthest from many families and professionals, and describes public transport from the nearest railway station as poor.

History (HMIP and IMB)

  1. 1983 (HMIP) or 1981 (IMB)Opened

    Sources differ on the opening date.

  2. 1998, 2005, 2009Additional accommodation added

    According to HMIP.

  3. 2004Unit for severe personality disorders opened

    According to the IMB.

  4. 2018Separation centre opened

    According to the IMB.

  5. 2019Designated a prison with a training function

    Settling prisoners earlier in their sentence (IMB).

  6. 202410-cell close supervision centre opened

    According to the IMB.

Population profile at HMIP's March 2024 inspection
MeasureWhat HMIP reported
Prisoners held821 (operational capacity 846)
Category A prisoners258 designated category A, almost one-third of the population
Indeterminate sentences66% serving indeterminate sentences; a further 31% serving 10 years or more
New arrivals in 12 months162
Foreign national prisoners76

Source: HMIP report on an unannounced inspection, 4 to 14 March 2024, published 8 July 2024.

Inspection findings from March 2024

In shortFrankland was rated reasonably good on all four healthy prison tests in March 2024, a calm, well-run jail with a clear sense of mission.

  • SafetyReasonably good
  • RespectReasonably good
  • Purposeful activityReasonably good
  • Preparation for releaseReasonably good

HMIP inspected Frankland from 4 to 14 March 2024 and published the report on 8 July 2024. That matched the 2020 result. The Chief Inspector called it a good report that again described Frankland as a calm and well-run prison with a clear sense of mission among leaders and staff.

Safety and concerns

Strengths

  • Fewer assaults recorded than at similar establishments, with less use of force, and a well-resourced approach to security.
  • Self-harm lower than at the previous inspection and at other high-security prisons.
  • The incentives scheme used the basic level sparingly: no prisoner stayed on it for more than 28 consecutive days in the previous year.
  • Ofsted graded education, skills and work as good overall, which the report notes is better than inspectors usually see.

Eight key concerns, four priorities

  • Poor repair of parts of the fabric (leaking roofs, broken workshop heating and damp on the Westgate unit).
  • Weak promotion of fair treatment and inclusion.
  • Too little time out of cell.
  • Too few full-time activity places.
  • Half of survey respondents said they had felt unsafe at some time, which the report described as high and perhaps reflecting the context of a prison like Frankland.

Staffing, retention and relationships

In shortHMIP's findings on the workforce were unusually positive: fully staffed, low attrition, and good professional relationships.

  • Officer attrition rate3.69%Among the lowest nationally
  • Officers under two years' serviceAlmost 30%Well supported by very experienced colleagues
  • Prisoners saying staff respectful74%
  • Key worker very or quite helpful75%Better than comparable prisons

HMIP's findings on the workforce are directly relevant to candidates. The report says the prison was fully staffed, and had over-recruited so a supply of officers could fill shortages elsewhere in the country.

Inspectors said a stable and relatively experienced workforce produced good professional relationships and a generally calm atmosphere. Key work sessions took place consistently, though entries were of variable quality.

  • Leaders had identified talented individuals and supported career progression through personal development plans.
  • Officers on special units received weekly supervision by a psychologist.
  • The report describes a traditional culture among staff and leaders, who it said knew what they were doing and were at ease in their role.
  • Some staff roles used specialist skills, for example on the Westgate treatment unit for men with complex personality disorders, where operational and clinical staff worked together.

The IMB view for 2024-25

In shortThe IMB describes Frankland as a safe prison with lower violence than other dispersal prisons, but staffing issues and works cut time out of cell.

  • Violent incidents14416 fewer than the year before
  • Assaults on prisoners or fights101
  • Assaults on staff (actual or attempted)43
  • Needing hospital treatmentNine

The independent monitoring board's annual report for 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025 was published in August 2026. The board says violence is lower than at other dispersal prisons and attributes it in part to a stable population and proactive work by staff.

It describes the prison as a safe prison, while noting prevalent use of psychoactive substances, a rise in drone incursions and gang affiliation risks.

Staffing and works

Positive

  • Staff and prisoner relationships were, on the whole, positive in the board's observations.

Concerns

  • Time out of cell was reduced by staffing issues and workshop closures, and refurbishment to stop water ingress affected regime.
  • Severe staffing issues and constant redeployment meant random drug testing targets could not be met in December 2024, and staffing pressures affected the healthcare and mental health teams.
  • A change from the Prison Education Framework to Prison Education Services contract reduced education staffing from 23 to 16 full-time equivalents; the board asked the Minister how this would be addressed.
  • The board also raised car parking pressure on site.

Working here

In shortFrankland recruits through its own HMPPS page, requires enhanced checks and security clearance, and is in the national pay zone with no market supplement listed on 3 October 2026.

  • Held, per HMPPS page850Adult male prisoners; largest category A high-security prison in the UK
  • Officers, 30 June 2026568 FTEBand 3 to 5, against a target of 590

Frankland has its own page on the HMPPS recruitment site. It says officers work with people serving long sentences, needing strong communication skills and the ability to build rapport over time.

What the HMPPS page says

  • Applicants need enhanced pre-employment checks, Counter Terrorism Check security clearance and three years of UK residence; read our prison officer vetting guide for what enhanced checks involve.
  • Officers start on a 37-hour contract with the option to move to 39 or 41 hours after training.
  • Free on-site gym access and free parking.
  • Travel: a 15-minute drive from Durham town centre, or 35 to 40 minutes by bus and some walking from Durham railway station at peak times.
  • Frankland is in the national pay zone and does not appear on the HMPPS Band 3 market supplement list we checked on 3 October 2026; see the prison categories guide for how high-security prisons differ.

Officer pay at HMP Frankland

National (all other locations) zone; Band 3 rates from 1 April 2026, including the 20% unsocial hours allowance.

Band 3, 39 hours, entry£37,131No market supplement listed
Band 3, 37 hours, entry£34,928Trainee contract
Band 3, 41 hours, top pay point£41,417Highest Band 3 option here
Band 3 prison officer pay at HMP Frankland, 2026/27 (£ a year, base rates before supplement)
Contract hoursEntry (pay point 1)Maximum (pay point 3)
37 hours (trainee contract) incl. 20% unsocial hours£34,928£36,778
39 hours (2 additional committed hours)£37,131£39,097
41 hours (4 additional committed hours)£39,334£41,417

PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E. No supplement listed on the HMPPS jobs site, 3 October 2026.

Other grades at HMP Frankland (2026/27, £ a year)
GradeContractFromUp to
Band 2 Operational Support Grade37 hours incl. 25% unsocial hours£31,761£31,761
Band 4 Supervising / Specialist Officer37 hours incl. 20% unsocial hours£41,328£41,328
Band 5 Custodial Manager39 hours incl. 2 pensionable committed hours£47,327£49,600

Supplements apply to Band 3 only. PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E.

Turn these into take-home with the pay calculator, or see what the journey costs with the commute cost calculator. Band 3 pay explained.

Open the calculator pre-filled for Frankland

Capacity, performance and staffing

At 24 August 2026: operational capacity 846, population 810 (96%), certified normal accommodation in use 885. HMPPS monthly population bulletin.

HMPPS performance rating, 2025/26

RatingGood performance
Overall score75.0%
Functional groupHigh Security

Scale 4 (outstanding) to 1 (serious concern). HMPPS prison performance ratings 2025/26.

Officer staffing against target

At 30 June 2026: 568 FTE Band 3 to 5 officers against a target of 590 (-22, hours-adjusted). A gap against target is not a count of advertised vacancies. HMPPS workforce statistics, June 2026.

High Security is HMPPS's functional-group label for the prison's role, not any prisoner's security category. Official wording: “High security”. See prison categories explained or all High Security prisons.

Latest inspection

HMIP's most recent report on Frankland was published 8 July 2024 (full inspection report); that is the publication date, not the visit date.

safetyreasonably good
respectreasonably good
purposeful activityreasonably good
preparation for releasereasonably good

Grades from the latest full inspection report, published 8 July 2024.

Of the 122 prisons with full HMIP grades, 31 share its "reasonably good" safety grade and 22 its "reasonably good" purposeful-activity grade. 27 of the 122 had no test below "reasonably good".

Read the HMIP report

Working at HMP Frankland and how to apply

HMP Frankland has its own HMPPS recruitment page. Read the live advert for closing dates and assessment-centre details.

Postcode: DH1 5YD. View on a map. Nearest railway station, per GOV.UK: Durham, then take a taxi or bus to Brasside.

Other prisons in North East and similar prisons

These establishments are in the same county or region (7 listed in North East). See all of them in one table.

Similar by HMPPS functional group (High Security)

Compare Frankland side by side in the prison finder

Related guides

HMP Frankland: frequently asked questions

How much does a prison officer earn at HMP Frankland?

From £37,131 a year on 39 hours at the entry pay point, rising to £39,097 (National zone, 2026/27).

Does HMP Frankland pay a market supplement?

No: it is not on the HMPPS list (checked 3 October 2026).

What category is HMP Frankland?

HMPPS lists it in the "High Security" functional group, a label for the prison's role rather than the category of each prisoner. GOV.UK/HMIP wording: "High security".

How many prisoners can HMP Frankland hold?

Operational capacity 846, population 810 at 24 August 2026 (HMPPS bulletin).

When was HMP Frankland last inspected?

HMIP's latest report, published 8 July 2024, is a full inspection. Grades at the latest full inspection (8 July 2024): safety reasonably good, respect reasonably good, purposeful activity reasonably good, preparation for release reasonably good.

How do I apply to work at HMP Frankland?

Through the HMPPS recruitment page for HMP Frankland on the Prison and Probation Jobs site (linked above).

What is the nearest train station to HMP Frankland?

GOV.UK gives: Durham, then take a taxi or bus to Brasside.

What does HMIP say about staffing at HMP Frankland?

At its March 2024 inspection HMIP found the prison fully staffed and over-recruited so officers could cover shortages elsewhere. It reported officer attrition of 3.69%, among the lowest nationally, and said almost 30% of officers had under two years' service but were supported by experienced colleagues. The IMB's 2024-25 report, however, notes staffing issues and redeployment reduced time out of cell.

Is HMP Frankland a category A prison?

HMIP says Frankland holds category A and B convicted men and category A remand men, and had 258 category A prisoners at its March 2024 inspection. GOV.UK describes it as high security. A prisoner's category is assessed individually, so the prison holds a mix. Our prison categories guide explains how the categories and the HMPPS functional groups work.

What do I need to apply to be a prison officer at Frankland?

The Frankland recruitment page says applicants must pass enhanced pre-employment checks, obtain Counter Terrorism Check security clearance and have been a UK resident for the past three years. New officers start on a 37-hour contract with the option of 39 or 41 hours after training. Apply through the HMPPS recruitment portal linked from that page.

Sources and method

Data as at 3 October 2026; see our methodology. Independent of HMPPS, the Ministry of Justice and the POA; not legal or financial advice. Out of date? Tell us.

Not verified for this prison: HMIP and the IMB give different opening years (1983 and 1981); no third source checked.; The latest full inspection is March 2024, so staffing and condition findings are now more than two years old; no review of progress was found.; The recruitment page figure of 850 prisoners differs slightly from HMIP's operational capacity of 846; both quoted as written.; The separation centre and close supervision centre were outside the scope of the HMIP inspection and are not assessed here..