HMP High Down at a glance
- It is one of the prisons listed for a Band 3 market supplement: £2,000 a year on top of base pay, non-pensionable, guaranteed to at least March 2027 and, on HMPPS's own wording, able to be withdrawn.
- It sits in the Outer London pay zone, so Band 3 pay is higher than the national rate: £41,290 at 39 hours on the entry pay point against £37,131 nationally.
- Its operational capacity of 1,133 ranks 5th of 10 in London (1 = largest).
- Among the 26 prisons in the HMPPS "Category C Trainer/Resettlement" functional group with a published capacity, it ranks 6th by size.
- Its latest full HMIP inspection (report published 7 September 2026) graded safety "reasonably good" and purposeful activity "not sufficiently good".
- GOV.UK gives its nearest station as: Sutton or Belmont which are a short taxi ride away or you can take the number 80 bus.
- Type
- HMP
- Holds
- Men
- Run by
- HMPPS (public sector)
- Nation
- England
- Region (geographic)
- London
- HMPPS prison region
- LondonWorkforce statistics, June 2026
- Town / county
- Sutton, Greater London (Sutton)
- Postcode
- SM2 5PJ
- HMPPS functional group
- Category C Trainer/ResettlementA role label, not each prisoner's security category
- Officer pay zone
- Outer London
- Band 3 market supplement
- £2,000 a yearHMPPS pay page, 3 October 2026
- Operational capacity
- 1,133As at 24 August 2026
- Latest HMIP report published
- 7 September 2026
- Nearest railway station (GOV.UK)
- Sutton or Belmont which are a short taxi ride away or you can take the number 80 bus
Official description (GOV.UK/SPS/NI Justice): “High Down is a men’s prison and young offender institution (YOI) near Sutton in Surrey.” Official page.
From local prison to category C
In shortHigh Down moved in 2022 from category B local prison to a category C training and resettlement prison for adult men, with specialist units and a complex risk mix.
- Opened1992Banstead, on the site of a former mental health hospital
- Convicted of sexual offences34 per centOn two dedicated houseblocks (June 2026)
- Recalled prisoners18 per cent
- Indeterminate sentences14 per cent
The IMB's 2025 report records that operational capacity fell from 1,203 to 1,113 on 6 January 2025 and rose to 1,133 in May 2025, 135 above the certified normal accommodation of 998.
814 prisoners were released into the community in the previous 12 months. The mix is relevant to officers: it means specialist units, complex risk and a lot of progression and resettlement work.
- Six residential houseblocks, two used only by prisoners convicted of sexual offences (IMB 2025).
- A community living unit for people serving imprisonment for public protection (IPP) or long determinate sentences.
- A PIPE unit adding 23 beds and a 22-cell care, separation and reintegration unit.
Dated changes (HMIP)
- 1992Opened
Built on the site of a former mental health hospital in Banstead.
- 2022Category C training and resettlement
Moved from a category B local prison to a category C establishment for adult men.
- 2024New units
Opened a Learning Disability PIPE unit (psychologically informed planned environment) and was selected to open a second unit for prisoners convicted of sexual offences.
HMIP, June 2026: a generally positive inspection
In shortThe June 2026 inspection was generally positive: safety up to reasonably good and purposeful activity up to not sufficiently good, with drugs still the main threat.
- SafetyReasonably goodUp from not sufficiently good
- RespectReasonably good
- Purposeful activityNot sufficiently goodUp from poor
- Preparation for releaseNot sufficiently good
HMIP's unannounced inspection ran from 1 to 11 June 2026 and was published on 7 September 2026, with 1,085 men held against an operational capacity of 1,113.
The Chief Inspector's introduction called it a generally positive inspection and said that, if the leadership team stays, there was good reason to expect further improvement, subject to resources for refurbishment and security upgrades.
- Healthy prison tests, 2026: safety reasonably good; respect reasonably good; purposeful activity not sufficiently good; preparation for release not sufficiently good.
- 15 key concerns, of which seven were priorities: living conditions, drugs, time locked up, attendance, teaching feedback, and understaffed offender management.
- Ofsted rated education, skills and work as requires improvement across all five categories.
Drugs and safety findings
Concerns
- Drugs remained the main threat; drone deliveries by criminal gangs were common with window security not yet strengthened enough.
- Use of force was up 43 per cent, largely because of more handcuffing during escorts across the site.
- In its survey, 56 per cent of prisoners said they had felt unsafe at some point and 31 per cent said they felt unsafe now, both higher than at comparable prisons.
Improvements
- 19 per cent of random drug tests were positive, down from 31 per cent before the last inspection.
- Violence reports were down 14 per cent and in line with similar prisons.
What the report says about staff
In shortHMIP found staffing generally positive with improved retention, but many inexperienced staff and variable practice on key work and rule enforcement.
- Prisoners with no written behaviour entryNearly two thirdsIn the previous 28 days
This is the section candidates should read closely. HMIP's leadership commentary says there was a clear focus on staff development and building capability and that retention had improved, but that this had not yet turned into consistently effective delivery.
What HMIP saw
Strengths
- The staffing situation was generally positive, with some good work to improve retention by attending to staff wellbeing.
- Significant investment in developing middle management had strengthened ownership among custodial managers and senior officers.
- Generally positive interactions, officers able to de-escalate situations, and the best relationships on specialist units.
Concerns
- Practice remained variable on key work, behaviour management and encouraging prisoners to attend education, skills and work.
- Senior leader visibility across the prison was inconsistent.
- Many staff were inexperienced, reflected in some officers failing to enforce rules consistently.
- Low-level rule breaking such as vaping in communal areas was rarely challenged.
Regime, activity and the offender management gap
In shortTime out of cell improved considerably since 2023, but the offender management unit is the biggest gap.
- Enhanced or full-time workUp to 10.5 hours a dayOut of cell
- Unemployed prisonersAbout 3.5 hoursAround 10 per cent of the population
- Probation prison offender managers in post5.7Prison profiled for 10.5
Time out of cell improved considerably since 2023. In roll checks nearly a quarter were locked up during the working day.
The enrichment hub, a strong gym, a barista pathway, a construction pathway and employment-focused courses run by Railtrack and XO Bikes were highlighted, and the report says prisoners who completed the Railtrack course were particularly successful in finding work on release.
- Notable practice: nearly all officers had been trained in life support, defibrillator use and naloxone administration.
Working here and getting there
In shortHigh Down is in the outer London pay zone with a £2,000 a year non-pensionable market supplement as at 3 October 2026.
- Market supplement£2,000 a yearNon-pensionable, 3 October 2026
- Outer London start£41,290 to £43,29039-hour week; the top figure includes the supplement
See the pay bands page and London pay guide. We found no prison-specific recruitment page, so use the national route in how to become a prison officer.
- GOV.UK's visitor page, last updated on 26 June 2026, gives Sutton or Belmont as the closest railway stations, a short taxi ride away, or the number 80 bus, which also passes Morden station.
- It says there is a free visitors' car park.
- That is written for visitors, so check staff parking and shift-time transport directly with the prison or in a job pack.
Officer pay at HMP High Down
Outer London zone; Band 3 rates from 1 April 2026, including the 20% unsocial hours allowance.
| Contract hours | Entry (pay point 1) | Maximum (pay point 3) | Entry with supplement | Max with supplement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 hours (trainee contract) incl. 20% unsocial hours | £38,840 | £40,896 | £40,840 | £42,896 |
| 39 hours (2 additional committed hours) | £41,290 | £43,475 | £43,290 | £45,475 |
| 41 hours (4 additional committed hours) | £43,739 | £46,054 | £45,739 | £48,054 |
PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E. Supplement per the HMPPS jobs site, 3 October 2026; non-pensionable, may be withdrawn.
| Grade | Contract | From | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 Operational Support Grade | 37 hours incl. 25% unsocial hours | £36,051 | £36,051 |
| Band 4 Supervising / Specialist Officer | 37 hours incl. 20% unsocial hours | £45,446 | £45,446 |
| Band 5 Custodial Manager | 39 hours incl. 2 pensionable committed hours | £51,471 | £53,941 |
Supplements apply to Band 3 only. PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E.
Other London prisons on the supplement list: Downview (£2,000), Feltham (£2,000).
Turn these into take-home with the pay calculator, or see what the journey costs with the commute cost calculator. Band 3 pay explained.
Capacity, performance and staffing
At 24 August 2026: operational capacity 1,133, population 1,044 (92%), certified normal accommodation in use 950. HMPPS monthly population bulletin.
HMPPS performance rating, 2025/26
Scale 4 (outstanding) to 1 (serious concern). HMPPS prison performance ratings 2025/26.
Officer staffing against target
At 30 June 2026: 256 FTE Band 3 to 5 officers against a target of 268 (-12, hours-adjusted). A gap against target is not a count of advertised vacancies. HMPPS workforce statistics, June 2026.
Category C Trainer/Resettlement is HMPPS's functional-group label for the prison's role, not any prisoner's security category. Official wording: “C”. See prison categories explained or all Category C Trainer/Resettlement prisons.
Latest inspection
HMIP's most recent report on High Down was published 7 September 2026 (full inspection report); that is the publication date, not the visit date.
Grades from the latest full inspection report, published 7 September 2026.
Of the 122 prisons with full HMIP grades, 31 share its "reasonably good" safety grade and 53 its "not sufficiently good" purposeful-activity grade.
Working at HMP High Down and how to apply
There is no High Down-specific page on the HMPPS jobs site; adverts are listed by location. Read the live advert for closing dates and assessment-centre details.
- HMPPS prison officer jobs (official site).
- Official establishment page, including visiting and contact details.
- How to become a prison officer: eligibility, vetting, assessment centre, fitness test and training.
- Recruitment timeline tool and commute cost calculator.
Postcode: SM2 5PJ. View on a map. Nearest railway station, per GOV.UK: Sutton or Belmont which are a short taxi ride away or you can take the number 80 bus.
Other prisons in London and similar prisons
These establishments are in the same county or region (10 listed in London). See all of them in one table.
- HMP & YOI DownviewSutton, Greater London (Sutton)
- HMP BelmarshThamesmead, London, Greater London (Greenwich)
- HMP BrixtonBrixton, London, Greater London (Lambeth)
- HMYOI FelthamFeltham, Greater London (Hounslow)
- HMP & YOI IsisThamesmead, London, Greater London (Greenwich)
- HMP PentonvilleIslington, London, Greater London (Islington)
Similar by HMPPS functional group (Category C Trainer/Resettlement)
Related guides
- Band 3 prison officer payEvery pay point and contract-hours option explained.
- Market supplements explainedHow the supplement works and what could change it.
- Prison officer pay in LondonHow the London zones are built.
- Prison categories explainedCategory A to D versus functional groups.
- Prison officer jobs by regionWhere officers are needed and how pay differs.
- UK prisons listEvery establishment by nation, category and operator.
HMP High Down: frequently asked questions
How much does a prison officer earn at HMP High Down?
From £43,290 a year on 39 hours at the entry pay point (including the £2,000 supplement), rising to £45,475 (Outer London zone, 2026/27).
Does HMP High Down pay a market supplement?
Yes: £2,000 a year for Band 3 officers, per the HMPPS pay page on 3 October 2026. It is non-pensionable, can be withdrawn and is guaranteed only to March 2027.
Is HMP High Down in the London pay zone?
Yes, the Outer London zone, where fixed cash differentials (up to £3,432 above the national 37-hour maxima) lift Band 3 pay.
What category is HMP High Down?
HMPPS lists it in the "Category C Trainer/Resettlement" functional group, a label for the prison's role rather than the category of each prisoner. GOV.UK/HMIP wording: "C".
How many prisoners can HMP High Down hold?
Operational capacity 1,133, population 1,044 at 24 August 2026 (HMPPS bulletin).
How do I apply to work at HMP High Down?
There is no High Down page on the HMPPS jobs site, so use the general HMPPS prison officer page, where adverts are listed by location.
What is the nearest train station to HMP High Down?
GOV.UK gives: Sutton or Belmont which are a short taxi ride away or you can take the number 80 bus.
How did High Down do at its latest HMIP inspection?
HMIP inspected in June 2026 and published on 7 September 2026. It rated safety and respect reasonably good and purposeful activity and preparation for release not sufficiently good. Safety and activity both improved on 2023. The Chief Inspector called it generally positive and said further improvement was likely if leadership continues and resources arrive for refurbishment and security.
What does HMIP say about officers at High Down?
The report says the staffing situation was generally positive and retention had improved through attention to staff wellbeing, but that many officers were inexperienced and some did not enforce rules consistently. Inspectors saw generally positive interactions and good de-escalation, with the best relationships on specialist units. Nearly all officers had trained in life support, defibrillator use and naloxone.
Is High Down in Surrey or London?
GOV.UK describes High Down as near Sutton in Surrey, while HMPPS lists it in the London region and in the outer London pay zone. HMIP describes it as a prison in South London. For pay, the outer London zone and the £2,000 market supplement on the HMPPS page are what count, not the postal county.
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.
- HMIP: report on an unannounced inspection of HMP High Down (published 7 September 2026; inspection 1-11 June 2026) (opened 2026-10-03)
- IMB: Annual report, HMP High Down, calendar year 2025 (published June 2026) (opened 2026-10-03)
- GOV.UK: High Down Prison (visitor guidance, last updated 26 June 2026) (opened 2026-10-03)
- HMPPS Prison and Probation Jobs: prison officer (opened 2026-10-03)
- HMPPS Prison and Probation Jobs: prison officer pay (opened 2026-10-03)
Not verified for this prison: No prison-specific recruitment page for High Down found on the HMPPS jobs site.; HMIP's report gives an opening year of 1992 and a brief history; we did not cross-check this against a second official source, so it is attributed to HMIP.; No HMPPS action plan commentary or ministerial response letter for the 2026 inspection read in full; the action plan PDF exists on the HMIP report page but was not reviewed.; IMB 2025 report covers the calendar year and predates the June 2026 inspection..
- gov.uk/guidance/high-down-prison
- gov.uk/government/collections/prisons-in-england-and-wales
- prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/prison-service-roles/prison-officer/prison-officer-pay/
- gov.uk/government/publications/prison-population-monthly-prison-figures-2026
- hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_reports/hmp-high-down-4/