HMP & YOI Prescoed

An open prison since 1939

In shortPrescoed is an open resettlement prison for up to 260 adult and young adult men, under the same operational management as HMP Usk.

• Capacity (HMIP)Up to 260249 held at inspection; GOV.UK says 11 accommodation blocks
• Usk and Prescoed combined496Operational capacity; 482 held on 24 August 2026 (August 2026 bulletin)
• New prisoners a year390
• Receiving some form of ROTL48.6%At inspection

It is a few miles from HMP Usk, and HMPPS reports the two prisons together in some tables. See our prison categories guide for how open conditions fit into the estate.

• HMIP's 2025 profile lists 12 residential units with a mix of single and double cells.
• Two semi-detached houses for up to eight longer-term prisoners preparing for release, and 40 pods with single, en-suite accommodation.
• Named areas include the Pugh induction unit, the Mitchell unit (larger single rooms for those over 50 and prisoners working in the community) and the Gates substance-free unit.

HMIP inspection, May 2025

In shortPrescoed was good for safety, respect and release preparation in May 2025, with delays in release on temporary licence and under-occupied prisoners the main weaknesses.

• SafetyGood
• RespectGood
• Purposeful activityReasonably good
• Preparation for releaseGood

HMIP inspected Usk and Prescoed from 12 to 22 May 2025 and published the report on 12 August 2025 (previous inspection: June 2021). The Chief Inspector wrote that prisoners at Prescoed were engaged with and motivated by the regime, relationships between staff and prisoners were overwhelmingly positive, and little violence or drug use was found.

Daily life and the regime

In shortHMIP found a regime that treats men as people preparing to live independently, with strong safety and mixed living conditions.

• AssaultsNoneOnly three uses of force in the previous year; no incidents of self-harm
• Felt safe on first night91%
• On enhanced incentives level98%
• Returned to closed conditions95In the previous year, including everyone found to have used class A or B drugs

HMIP found that prisoners had keys to their own rooms and did not have to return to their units until 9pm. An association room was open in the evenings and men could gather in outside areas.

• In HMIP's survey 97% of Prescoed prisoners said they could use the library at least once a week.
• Gym facilities included weights, cardiovascular equipment, a sports hall and a large open sports field, but prisoners did not have free access to the gym and weekend access was only on Saturdays.
• Uses of force were mostly low-level guiding holds or handcuffs on escort.
• The main benefit of the enhanced level was longer overnight release on temporary licence.
• Because the open environment matters so much to the men, the sanction for serious breaches is return to closed conditions.
• HMIP noted that 12% of Prescoed respondents said they felt unsafe, against 4% at other open prisons, and only 64% said their personal officer was helpful, against a comparator of 77%.

Release on temporary licence, work and resettlement

In shortROTL is the heart of an open prison and Prescoed's biggest problem, though outcomes after release were comparatively good.

• Receiving ROTL48.6%Down from 60% at the previous inspection
• Working in the community28.5%Had fallen in recent months
• In employment on release61%HMPPS figures quoted by HMIP
• In employment six months after71%Both above the Prison Service's targets

Release on temporary licence (ROTL) is for family contact or work in the community. HMIP said many prisoners were frustrated at long waits for approval: 16 weeks was not unusual, a quarter of cases in its sample took longer, and the average for the sample was just under 15 weeks.

Delays in responses from probation and the police about release addresses, and a rising number of men arriving with little time left to serve, were part of the cause.

• Estyn, which assesses education, skills and work for HMIP, judged outcomes for Prescoed reasonably good overall.
• It praised a curriculum focused on vocational skills, accreditations and preparation for ROTL, and said the farm gave learners authentic work experience.
• Its weakness was the same as HMIP's: flexible arrangements meant a few prisoners were not required to engage in activity for significant parts of the day.
• Family contact was a strength: hot food that visitors could buy, and an exceptional range of facilities and activities on family days, using the farm and a sports field reached by a family walk through the woods.
• Inadequate telephone provision was the exception: there were too few phones and many could not be used in privacy.

Monitoring and staffing

In shortThe IMB called both prisons well managed with strong leadership, and HMIP found staffing levels, experience and retention good.

• Officers, Usk and Prescoed combined115 FTE30 June 2026, band 3 to 5, hours adjusted; target 115
• Use of force at Prescoed (IMB)3 incidents

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) covers Usk and Prescoed in one report for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. HMIP said leaders were approachable and experienced.

• The IMB described both prisons as well managed with strong leadership.
• Prescoed has remained successful in offering work placements to prisoners, with low use of force and low illicit substance use.
• Accommodation blocks are functional but some are in suboptimal condition and facilities for preparing food are limited; the Board welcomed ongoing painting, refurbishment and kitchen upgrades.

Rating, pay and getting there

In shortHMPPS rated Prescoed 4 of 4, "outstanding performance"; it is on national pay with no recruitment page of its own and limited public transport.

• HMPPS rating 2025/264 of 4"Outstanding performance"; scored 90.0%
• Market supplementNone listedHMPPS pay page, checked 3 October 2026

GOV.UK says Prescoed is about 5 miles from Pontypool, New Inn and Cwmbran stations, that there are no local bus services and that a taxi from the station is needed, with a visitors car park. That is visitor guidance and public transport is limited, so consider how you would commute before applying.