HMP Long Lartin

History and role in the high security estate

In shortLong Lartin is a long-term high security category A and B prison for men, and quoted capacities differ by source and date.

HMPPS manages it within a high security grouping rather than the geographic West Midlands group, so its staffing is reported separately in the workforce statistics.

The HMPPS careers page describes it as six miles outside the market town of Evesham in Worcestershire and as a category A long-term high security prison accommodating sentenced men and men on remand.

Who is held and how the wings are used

In shortLong Lartin held 537 men, most at very high risk of harm and serving long or indeterminate sentences, with very few arrivals or releases.

• Held (2026)537 menMajority at very high risk of harm
• New prisonersAbout 150 a yearAround 13 a month; just seven released into the community in the previous year
• Black and minority ethnic79%63 were foreign nationals
• Substance misuse support115

A and B wings

77 vulnerable prisoners each.

D wing

77 men; cells have no in-cell sanitation.

C wing

76 cells, vacant at the time.

E and F units

Modern open-plan units (95 and 89).

P

An incentivised substance-free living unit (42).

Q

Perrie Red (75). There is also a seven-bed health care inpatient unit.

• Accredited vocational training in woodcraft, bricklaying, barbering, industrial cleaning, laundry and painting and decorating (HMPPS careers page)
• Contract work in plumbing and recycling workshops
• Education from basic skills to Open University courses

What inspectors found (report published 1 June 2026)

In shortA well-led prison making progress, but not enough to change any test score: three not sufficiently good, release preparation reasonably good.

• Safety, respect, activityNot sufficiently goodSafety, respect and purposeful activity
• Release preparationReasonably good
• Self-inflicted deaths4Since the previous visit

The announced inspection took place from 15 February to 5 March 2026, following a 2024 inspection at which three of four tests were insufficient. The assault rate had begun to fall, though it was still the second highest for its type, and use of force remained the highest among comparable prisons.

Staff-prisoner relationships and the officer workforce

In shortRelationships were fragile and morale low, and Long Lartin has the largest officer shortfall in the West Midlands region by this measure.

• Band 3 to 5 officers (FTE)289 / 388Against target, HMPPS workforce statistics at 30 June 2026
• Shortfall99The largest in the West Midlands region by this measure

Inspectors described staff-prisoner relationships as fragile, with some positive interactions but too many staff failing to engage confidently or constructively, and minority ethnic prisoners reporting especially poor relationships.

• The governor had set clear standards and accountability, and many staff supported his approach
• Staff reported low morale, shortages of experienced officers and concerns about staffing levels
• Leaders said a serious assault on an officer the previous summer had shaken frontline confidence and contributed to later departures
• The careers page frames the role as needing great communication skills and the ability to build rapport with a wide range of people over a long time with men serving long sentences, and says no specific previous experience is required

Working at Long Lartin

In shortLong Lartin has an official HMPPS recruitment page, requires Counter Terrorism Check clearance, and is on the national pay zone with no market supplement.

• Pay£34,928 to £39,334According to the careers page; 37 hours with 39 or 41 optional later
• Market supplementNoneNot on the HMPPS tables as at 3 October 2026
• PerksFree gym and parkingOn-site

You will need Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance, which requires UK residence for the last three years, plus enhanced pre-employment checks. See pay and pay bands.