HMP Northumberland

A privately run category C prison in rural Northumberland

In shortNorthumberland is a Sodexo-run category C training and resettlement prison, so HMPPS pay bands do not apply and we give no pay figure.

• CreatedOctober 2011Merger of HMP Acklington and HMP/YOI Castington
• Private sector since1 December 2013Operated by Sodexo
• Held, 24 August 20261,291Operational capacity 1,356
• Performance ratingGood2025/26: 3 of 4, score 62.4%, Category C Trainer/Resettlement group

HMP Northumberland was created in October 2011 by merging HMP Acklington and HMP/YOI Castington, according to HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), and joined the contracted (private) prison sector on 1 December 2013. GOV.UK states that the prison is managed by Sodexo.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) describes the site as rural Northumberland, about 30 miles north of Newcastle, with some buildings at least 40 years old. It reports a certified normal accommodation of 1,236 and an average population of 1,194 in December 2025.

• Formed from HMP Acklington and HMP/YOI Castington, October 2011 (HMIP, 2025).
• Contracted prison sector from 1 December 2013, operated by Sodexo (HMIP, IMB).
• Task: category C training and resettlement for men (HMIP, September 2025).
• HMPPS's August 2026 population bulletin gives an operational capacity of 1,356 and 1,291 prisoners held at 24 August 2026.

Who is held and the RAAC closures

In shortNorthumberland holds over 400 prisoners convicted of a sexual offence, and RAAC closures have driven a major rebuild with a population increase planned.

• Held, HMIP September 20251,223 menMore than 400 convicted of a sexual offence (PCoSOs)
• New prisonersAround 168 a monthAn average of 97 released each month
• Closed by RAAC178 bedsThree house blocks, plus education building, reception, a gym, property store and chapel
• New unit planned240 prisonersLikely to be completed in 2027 (IMB)

HMIP's September 2025 report lists residential units including general population blocks, an enhanced wing, induction wings for both groups, a drug-free unit, a Gateway drug recovery unit, units for older and retired prisoners, and a small unit for trusted prisoners progressing to release on temporary licence or open conditions.

A new 60-bed unit for prisoners convicted of sexual offences was completed in 2024, according to the IMB.

• For staff, those developments matter: the IMB asks the director whether there is a strategic plan for the staffing increase needed as the population expands.
• It also asks the Prison Service about financial planning for the expansion.

What inspectors found in September 2025

In shortHMIP rated all four healthy prison tests reasonably good in September 2025, calling it a positive inspection of a well-run prison, with nine key concerns.

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

HMIP's unannounced inspection ran from 27 August to 12 September 2025 and the report was published on 2 December 2025. Of the 12 concerns raised in 2022, 10 had been addressed.

The Chief Inspector called it a positive inspection of a well-run category C training and resettlement prison and said improvements were likely if the capable governor and deputy remained in post.

Staff recruitment, retention and morale

In shortHMIP's staffing findings are mixed: good retention and low assaults on staff, but officers reported low morale and key work was intermittent.

• Staff rating morale high or very high9%Frontline operational staff who responded to the survey
• Staff well-being supported very or quite well6%
• Key work caseloadsUp to 12Prisoners per officer, without dedicated time for sessions

HMIP's findings on staffing are mixed, which makes them useful to read in full. The Chief Inspector wrote that leaders had improved recruitment and that a prison-led training package continuing throughout officers' first year had led to good staff retention.

Working at HMP Northumberland

In shortOfficers are employed by Sodexo Justice Services, not HMPPS; we have not verified any current vacancy, pay or terms.

If you are weighing public against private roles, start with private prisons in the UK and the pay comparison on prison officer pay.

Employer

Officers at Northumberland are employed by Sodexo Justice Services, not by HMPPS, and are generally advertised as prison custody officers (PCOs).

Pay and terms

We have not verified any current vacancy, pay or terms, so we do not quote a salary: Sodexo sets these and they differ from HMPPS Band 3.

Where to look

The operator advertises roles on its own careers site, sodexojobs.co.uk, where searches show past postings for HMP Northumberland, but we could not confirm current openings.

Travel

GOV.UK's own Northumberland page is very short: it says the prison is managed by Sodexo and refers readers to the prison's operator page. We have no official travel guidance, and the dataset records no nearest railway station. The IMB places the site about 30 miles north of Newcastle.