HMP Pentonville at a glance
- It sits in the Inner London pay zone, so Band 3 pay is higher than the national rate: £43,453 at 39 hours on the entry pay point against £37,131 nationally.
- Its operational capacity of 1,205 ranks 3rd of 10 in London (1 = largest).
- Among the 30 prisons in the HMPPS "Reception" functional group with a published capacity, it ranks 4th by size.
- Its latest full HMIP inspection (report published 30 September 2025) graded safety "poor" and purposeful activity "poor"; a later HMIP review report followed on 27 April 2026.
- Type
- HMP
- Holds
- Men
- Run by
- HMPPS (public sector)
- Nation
- England
- Region (geographic)
- London
- HMPPS prison region
- LondonWorkforce statistics, June 2026
- Town / county
- Islington, London, Greater London (Islington)
- Postcode
- N7 8TT
- HMPPS functional group
- ReceptionA role label, not each prisoner's security category
- Officer pay zone
- Inner London
- Band 3 market supplement
- None listedHMPPS pay page, 3 October 2026
- Operational capacity
- 1,205As at 24 August 2026
- Latest HMIP report published
- 27 April 2026
Official description (GOV.UK/SPS/NI Justice): “Pentonville is a men’s prison and young offender institution in the London Borough of Islington, North London.” Official page.
Role in the estate and who is held
In shortPentonville is a large Victorian category B reception prison for remand and convicted men aged 18 and over, serving the courts of north and east London.
- Held, 2025 inspection1,189 menOperational capacity 1,205; in-use certified normal accommodation 905
- New prisoners4,690 a yearAround 390 a month; around 190 released a month
- On remand (IMB 2025-26)Around 80 per centOrdinarily about a third
HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) describes HMP Pentonville as a large Victorian local prison with four wings that are unchanged since it was built in 1842. In its 2025 inspection report it is a category B reception prison for remand and convicted men aged 18 and over, serving the courts of north and east London.
The prison's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) says the four cell blocks remain much as they were when the prison opened. Its 2025-26 report says the majority of men shared cells built for one person.
- HMIP lists specialist units including a first night and induction wing, a substance-misuse stabilisation unit, an incentivised substance-free living unit and a neurodiversity unit.
What inspectors found in 2025
In shortThe summer 2025 inspection rated safety, purposeful activity and preparation for release poor and respect not sufficiently good, with some notable positives.
- SafetyPoor
- RespectNot sufficiently good
- Purposeful activityPoor
- Preparation for releasePoor
HMIP's unannounced inspection took place in summer 2025 and the report was published on 30 September 2025.
The Chief Inspector issued an Urgent Notification to the Secretary of State on 16 July 2025, citing sentence-calculation errors that left prisoners held beyond their release date, weak support for people at risk of self-harm, chaotic first nights and very long periods locked in cells.
- Healthy prison tests, 2025: safety poor; respect not sufficiently good; purposeful activity poor; preparation for release poor.
- 13 key concerns, of which seven were priorities, including leaders' oversight, first night and induction, self-harm support, staff-prisoner relationships and time out of cell.
- Governor in 2025: HMIP says all staff training had been brought in house, with more initial training and time for new recruits to see frontline work.
Staff-prisoner relationships and wider findings
Concerns
- Only 54 per cent of prisoners said staff treated them with respect (66 per cent at similar prisons).
- 50 per cent said they had been bullied or victimised by staff (38 per cent at similar prisons).
- Prisoners complained that staff were unable or unwilling to respond to legitimate requests.
- Only three of the 15 concerns raised at the previous inspection in 2022 had been addressed, and none of those in purposeful activity or preparation for release.
Positives
- Positive interactions, especially on smaller specialist units, and many dedicated staff.
- A health care team that delivered a good service.
- An incentivised substance-free living unit better than inspectors often see.
- A body-worn camera scoring system for use-of-force footage, flagged as notable positive practice.
The March 2026 review of progress
In shortBy March 2026 inspectors found good progress on three of six concerns, but time out of cell remained the weak spot.
- Concerns followed up6Three good, two reasonable, one insufficient
- Sentence-calculation cases outstanding76 to nineEarly January 2026 to the visit
- Locked up in the core day53 per centRoll checks
- In purposeful activity off wings15 per centRoll checks
Between 16 and 18 March 2026 HMIP returned for an independent review of progress, published on 27 April 2026 and corrected on 12 May 2026.
It followed up six concerns from 2025 and judged good progress on three (leadership, early days in custody and the backlog of sentence calculations), reasonable progress on two (safeguarding and staff-prisoner relationships) and insufficient progress on one (time out of cell).
HMIP did not reassess the four healthy prison tests at this visit, because review visits do not produce those scores.
Staff, staffing and regime
Positives
- Nearly all of the 44 new officers who joined in the previous year had completed extended on-site training at what HMIP calls the Pentonville Academy, with targeted input on improving staff-prisoner relationships; inspectors named this as notable positive practice.
- Inspectors saw polite, respectful interactions on the landings and several prisoners spoke well of individual officers.
Weak spots
- Key work remained poor, and some verbal and written requests were not consistently answered.
- A revised core day from January 2026 offered every prisoner a daily hour for showers and exercise, but around a third of prisoners still had no activity.
What the independent monitors reported
In shortThe IMB's 2025-26 report found improved first nights and a high standard of care, but a building in serious disrepair and inconsistent staff-prisoner relationships.
The Independent Monitoring Board is a group of unpaid volunteers who observe the prison on behalf of the Secretary of State. Its 2025-26 annual report was published in August 2026.
IMB 2025-26
Improved
- First-night cell readiness and welfare calls improved after new systems were introduced.
- In person ACCT reviews showed a high standard of care.
Concerns
- The fabric of the building remained a serious concern, with infestations of rats, mice, cockroaches and flies.
- Cells and the care and separation unit were often in poor condition.
- Inconsistent quality in staff-prisoner relationships, as seen in its own visits and reported by prisoners.
Working here: pay zone, supplement and applying
In shortPentonville is in the inner London pay zone with no market supplement in the tables checked on 3 October 2026; applications use the national route.
- Inner London start£43,45339-hour week, official HMPPS page, 3 October 2026
- Market supplementNone listedUnlike Feltham, High Down or Downview (£2,000)
Pentonville is in the inner London pay zone, so Band 3 officers are paid on the higher London scale. See the Band 3 pay and zones page and the London pay guide for how the scales compare.
Applying and travelling
- We did not find a prison-specific recruitment page for Pentonville on the HMPPS jobs site, so apply through the national route described in how to become a prison officer.
- Recruitment is run centrally by HMPPS, not by the prison.
- Staffing numbers at the prison, including the gap against its target, are shown in the 'At a glance' block above and come from HMPPS workforce statistics at 30 June 2026.
- GOV.UK's visitor guidance, updated on 6 July 2026, describes the prison as a five-minute walk from Caledonian Road underground station and says there is no visitor parking.
Officer pay at HMP Pentonville
Inner 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 37 hours (trainee contract) incl. 20% unsocial hours | £40,876 | £43,039 |
| 39 hours (2 additional committed hours) | £43,453 | £45,753 |
| 41 hours (4 additional committed hours) | £46,031 | £48,468 |
PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E. No supplement listed on the HMPPS jobs site, 3 October 2026.
| Grade | Contract | From | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 Operational Support Grade | 37 hours incl. 25% unsocial hours | £38,284 | £38,284 |
| Band 4 Supervising / Specialist Officer | 37 hours incl. 20% unsocial hours | £47,590 | £47,590 |
| Band 5 Custodial Manager | 39 hours incl. 2 pensionable committed hours | £53,626 | £56,200 |
Supplements apply to Band 3 only. PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E.
Supplements are paid at other London prisons: Downview (£2,000), High Down (£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 1,205, population 1,200 (100%), certified normal accommodation in use 904. 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: 307 FTE Band 3 to 5 officers against a target of 334 (-27, hours-adjusted). A gap against target is not a count of advertised vacancies. HMPPS workforce statistics, June 2026.
Reception is HMPPS's functional-group label for the prison's role, not any prisoner's security category. Official wording: “B (reception)”. See prison categories explained or all Reception prisons.
Latest inspection
HMIP's most recent report on Pentonville was published 27 April 2026 (independent review of progress / review visit); that is the publication date, not the visit date.
Grades from the latest full inspection report, published 30 September 2025; the later report above is a follow-up review that does not re-grade the tests.
Of the 122 prisons with full HMIP grades, 13 share its "poor" safety grade and 38 its "poor" purposeful-activity grade. Only 41 of those 122 prisons were graded "poor" on at least one test, and this is one of them.
Working at HMP Pentonville and how to apply
There is no Pentonville-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: N7 8TT. View on a map. GOV.UK gives no railway station for this prison.
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 BelmarshThamesmead, London, Greater London (Greenwich)
- HMP BrixtonBrixton, London, Greater London (Lambeth)
- HMP & YOI DownviewSutton, Greater London (Sutton)
- HMYOI FelthamFeltham, Greater London (Hounslow)
- HMP High DownSutton, Greater London (Sutton)
- HMP & YOI IsisThamesmead, London, Greater London (Greenwich)
Similar by HMPPS functional group (Reception)
Related guides
- Band 3 prison officer payEvery pay point and contract-hours option explained.
- 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 Pentonville: frequently asked questions
How much does a prison officer earn at HMP Pentonville?
From £43,453 a year on 39 hours at the entry pay point, rising to £45,753 (Inner London zone, 2026/27).
Is HMP Pentonville in the London pay zone?
Yes, the Inner London zone, where fixed cash differentials (up to £5,218 above the national 37-hour maxima) lift Band 3 pay.
What category is HMP Pentonville?
HMPPS lists it in the "Reception" functional group, a label for the prison's role rather than the category of each prisoner. GOV.UK/HMIP wording: "B (reception)".
How many prisoners can HMP Pentonville hold?
Operational capacity 1,205, population 1,200 at 24 August 2026 (HMPPS bulletin).
When was HMP Pentonville last inspected?
HMIP's latest report, published 27 April 2026, is a progress review. Grades at the latest full inspection (30 September 2025): safety poor, respect not sufficiently good, purposeful activity poor, preparation for release poor.
How do I apply to work at HMP Pentonville?
There is no Pentonville page on the HMPPS jobs site, so use the general HMPPS prison officer page, where adverts are listed by location.
Why did inspectors issue an Urgent Notification at Pentonville?
The Chief Inspector issued the notification on 16 July 2025. HMIP cited prisoners held beyond their release date because sentences were miscalculated, poor support for people at risk of self-harm, chaotic first nights, very long periods locked in cells and staff failing to deliver basic care. A review visit in March 2026 recorded good progress on three of six concerns.
Is Pentonville a good place to start as a prison officer?
Sources describe a demanding, high-turnover reception prison. HMIP's 2026 review praised extended on-site training for new officers but still found weak key work and limited time out of cell. The IMB reported inconsistent staff-prisoner relationships in its 2025-26 report. Whether it suits you depends on what you want from a first posting, so speak to serving staff where you can.
Does Pentonville pay a market supplement?
Not on the HMPPS prison officer pay page as at 3 October 2026. It is in the inner London pay zone, which lifts base pay, but the extra £2,000 market supplement paid at some outer London prisons is not listed for Pentonville. HMPPS says supplements are guaranteed to at least March 2027 and can change, so check the live page before applying.
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 Pentonville (published 30 September 2025) (opened 2026-10-03)
- HMIP: Urgent Notification for HMP Pentonville (issued 16 July 2025) (opened 2026-10-03)
- HMIP: report on an independent review of progress at HMP Pentonville (published 27 April 2026, corrected 12 May 2026) (opened 2026-10-03)
- IMB: Annual report, HMP Pentonville, 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 (published August 2026) (opened 2026-10-03)
- IMB: Annual report, HMP Pentonville, 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 (published October 2025) (opened 2026-10-03)
- GOV.UK: Pentonville Prison (visitor guidance, last updated 6 July 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 Pentonville found on the HMPPS jobs site.; The March 2026 review report's summary table lists a housing concern as 'no meaningful progress' that is not described in the report's own six-concern narrative; we relied on the narrative and left the housing item out.; The 2025 report's health care staff vacancy rate (16 per cent) relates to the health care team, not prison officers, so it is not used here.; No later HMIP full inspection, ministerial response letter or officer-specific staffing commentary beyond the sources above found as at 3 October 2026..
- gov.uk/guidance/pentonville-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-pentonville-6/