HMP Ranby

From army camp to a 1,000-man training prison

In shortA large category C training and resettlement prison between Worksop and Retford, converted from a Second World War army camp and repeatedly expanded.

• Held, February 20251,087Against an in-use normal capacity of 917 (HMIP)
• Operational capacity, March 20261,123Certified normal capacity 835 (IMB)
• Young adults17.2%174 men received on average each month; 311 receiving substance misuse support

HMP Ranby is a category C training and resettlement prison for adult men, situated in north Nottinghamshire between Worksop and Retford.

HMIP's reports describe it as originally a Second World War army camp, converted into a prison in the early 1970s (the IMB gives 1972 as the opening year), with several purpose-built accommodation units added since.

The IMB says the capacity has been regularly and significantly increased because of demand, most recently with new accommodation in 2024. HMIP's 2025 report adds that 25 semi-independent rooms had been installed recently and that building had started on two more houseblocks, due to open in 2027.

Houseblock one north

The induction unit.

One south and two north

General population.

Two south

Men with substance misuse issues.

Three north

A short-stay unit focused on resettlement.

Three south

The Creating Future Opportunities wing.

Four

An incentivised substance-free living wing.

Five

Full-time workers including IPP, lifer and older prisoners.

Six, seven and eight

Full-time worker wings.

Full inspection, February 2025: a split prison

In shortAll four tests were not sufficiently good, with drones and drugs harming outcomes and conditions depending sharply on which houseblock a man lived on.

• Random drug test positive rate23%
• Developed a drug or alcohol problem at Ranby24%Of surveyed prisoners; 38% on houseblocks one, two and three
• Men in activity off the wing10%On houseblocks one, two and three, while 35% were locked in cells
• Not in purposeful activity300 men

HMIP's full inspection took place from 10 to 20 February 2025 and was published on 19 May 2025. Safety had fallen from good at the 2022 inspection, which the Chief Inspector attributed mainly to drones delivering large amounts of contraband, which was affecting outcomes in many areas. Violence was higher than at most similar prisons.

The report's central finding was that outcomes depended on where a man was housed.

• A well-regarded governor, and mentors supporting fellow prisoners' learning
• Funding for a "longer working week" in some workshops
• A funded housing worker who was getting far more prisoners accommodation on release than in similar jails
• Quality in the commercial industry workshops and some teaching was better than inspectors usually see
• But higher-level learners did not progress enough in English and maths, dilapidated workshop equipment led to cancelled sessions, and Ofsted rated overall effectiveness of education as requires improvement

Review of progress, October 2025

In shortReasonable progress on five of eight concerns and insufficient on three, with a capable governor and better conditions, but drugs remained a considerable concern.

• HMIP concerns followed up8Reasonable progress on five, insufficient on three
• Ofsted1 significant, 2 reasonableProgress themes
• Random drug test positive rateAround 40%In the year to date (risen)
• Men on the basic levelAbout 118

HMIP returned on 20 to 22 October 2025 and published its review on 24 November 2025. The Chief Inspector described a strong and capable governor with a clear plan, motivated and visible frontline managers, a cleaner environment and better living conditions overall, though the larger houseblocks remained in poor condition.

Low-level antisocial behaviour was now being challenged, and early indications from the "longer working week" trial, where prisoners stay unlocked at lunchtime, were encouraging.

• Leaders had rotated some experienced officers onto the larger wings to support colleagues who were new in service
• Additional residential custodial managers had been recruited to give more support to officers, improving the visibility of frontline leaders
• About 118 men remained on the basic level of the incentives scheme; reviews were now completed on time and targets were more meaningful, but many prisoners said there was little to motivate good behaviour beyond the chance of moving to the better houseblocks
• Drugs: drones were still the biggest risk to order and control, several wings had windows that were not secure, and HMIP said HMPPS needed to invest in physical security
• A new healthcare provider, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, had taken over on 1 October 2025
• An operational capacity reduction of up to 48 places had been agreed to allow shower refurbishment

The IMB view and working here

In shortThe IMB says relationships are generally good but the prison is less safe than the year before; staffing was 257 against a target of 276, 19 below.

• Band 3 to 5 officers257 FTEBand 3 to 5 staffing against a target of 276 at 30 June 2026: 19 below target

The IMB's annual report for 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 (published June 2026) says staff-prisoner relationships remain generally good, with prisoners usually treated with courtesy and respect, and it commends staff for professionalism and care in very challenging situations.

On staffing, the Board says there is continuing turnover, with many young officers having served less than three years, and asks how the Prison Service plans to improve the training of a rising proportion of inexperienced staff.

• The Board believes the prison is less safe than in the previous year, linked to drugs and contraband
• Prisoners are increasingly seeking segregation to escape conflict, debt or threat of violence
• Bedbugs were a problem for much of the year
• GOV.UK gives the address as Ranby, Retford DN22 8EU, on the A620 Retford to Worksop Road, with Retford the nearest station and onward travel by taxi or bus; parking is free
• Ranby is in the national pay zone with no market supplement on the HMPPS list (checked 3 October 2026); see prison officer pay bands