HMP Full Sutton

A purpose-built high security prison

In shortFull Sutton opened in 1987 as a purpose-built high security dispersal prison for category A and B men, about 11 miles east of York.

• Opened1987Within the long-term and high security estate (LTHSE)
• Certified normal accommodation660Operational capacity 594
• Held (IMB, 31 December 2025)580 menHMIP, March 2024: 572, a quarter category A and three quarters category B

HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) records the opening in 1987, and the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) describes it as a dispersal prison for men in category A and category B. GOV.UK describes the purpose of the prison in plain terms: providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners convicted of serious offences can make positive use of long sentences.

HMIP says the population is made up mainly of indeterminate-sentenced prisoners and a substantial number of longer-sentenced determinate prisoners. The IMB adds that a small number of men have terrorism-related convictions.

Wings, specialist units and daily activity

In shortFull Sutton has six residential wings and several specialist units, including the 18-bed STEP unit that offers a route out of segregation.

GOV.UK says each prisoner is assigned their own cell, with around 600 men held across the various wings and specialist units. Prisoners on the standard and enhanced behaviour levels can have televisions in their cells, GOV.UK says.

A, E and F

General wings.

B, C and D

Accommodate vulnerable prisoners, meaning men held apart from the main population because of the nature of their offence or other circumstances (IMB's 2025 report).

Other units

HMIP also records a segregation unit, a close supervision centre, a separation centre and a healthcare unit with inpatient beds. The close supervision centre and separation centre were not inspected by HMIP in 2024.

STEP unit

Supporting transition enabling progression: an 18-bed unit helping men with complex needs move from segregation back to normal location, using a five-tier behaviour model and a multidisciplinary team that includes psychologists. Inspectors said it offered a viable route out of segregation for some men.

• Work in textiles, lighting assembly, cycle repair for charities and catering (GOV.UK)
• A restoration and upcycling workshop, DHL warehousing and distribution, and industrial cleaning
• Printing and design, a waste management unit and a wood mill
• Education is provided by Milton Keynes College, according to HMIP

What inspectors found in March 2024

In shortHMIP rated safety, respect and release preparation reasonably good and purposeful activity not sufficiently good, which had declined since 2020.

• SafetyReasonably good
• RespectReasonably good
• Release preparationReasonably good
• Purposeful activityNot sufficiently good
• Locked behind doors in the working day38%Up from 21% at the previous inspection

HMIP inspected Full Sutton unannounced from 11 to 21 March 2024 and published its report on 8 July 2024. The Chief Inspector described a prison doing a solid job of protecting the public and reducing risk under a capable governor, with staff-prisoner relationships that were generally good and many capable, experienced officers.

He singled out middle leadership, such as supervising officers and custodial managers, as a strength.

The IMB's view of 2025: staffing pressure returns

In shortThe IMB describes a safe and generally calm prison, but daily staffing shortages meant the desired regime could not regularly be delivered.

• Officer vacanciesAround 50When a new core day was introduced in October 2025
• Unemployment among those available for work9%The lowest for several years
• Serious prisoner-on-prisoner assaults6Assaults on staff almost halved compared with 2024

The IMB's annual report for 1 January to 31 December 2025, published on 12 May 2026, reads differently on staffing.

The Board says continuing daily shortages caused by unfilled vacancies, illness, restricted duties and resignations meant the desired regime could not regularly be delivered, and that rotational lockdowns and restricted wing rotas ran for most of the year.

The Board describes Full Sutton as a safe and generally calm prison where governors and staff approached security and welfare proportionately.

• The long-planned woodworking workshops had still not opened
• Improved healthcare contracts, and a programme tailored to young adults serving long sentences
• Government-funded specialist training to build local response resilience in the LTHSE after a serious assault at another prison

Working here as a prison officer

In shortHMPPS runs a dedicated recruitment page for Full Sutton, which requires Counter Terrorism Check clearance, and pay is national with no market supplement.

• Salary range£34,928 to £39,334Depending on whether an officer works 37, 39 or 41 hours
• Market supplementNoneNot listed (checked 3 October 2026)
• PerksGym, parking, staff messFree onsite gym and parking

The page describes a category A high security prison with a capacity of around 600 adult men. Applicants need enhanced pre-employment checks and Counter Terrorism Check clearance, which requires three years' UK residence.

A new neighbour: HMP Millsike

In shortHMP Millsike next door is a separate, privately run category C prison with different employers, terms and security levels.

Since 2025 Full Sutton has had a neighbour. GOV.UK describes HMP Millsike as a privately run men's prison in the village of Full Sutton, built on land next to the existing prison and operated by Mitie.

It is a separate establishment with its own staff, governance and inspection record, and officers there are employed by the operator rather than HMPPS.