HMP Swaleside

Role and layout

In shortSwaleside is a category B training prison in the long-term high-security estate, holding mainly men on long or indeterminate sentences.

• Operational capacity787Ministry of Justice August 2026 bulletin; 687 held on 24 August 2026
• Held (Dec 2025)879At the December 2025 inspection
• Indeterminate sentencesA thirdIncluding 41 serving sentences of imprisonment for public protection
• Foreign nationals14%An average of 13 men released each month, even though Swaleside is not a resettlement prison

HMIP records that Swaleside opened in 1988 with four wings, with E wing built in 1998, F wing in 1999, G wing in 2009 and H wing in 2010.

The IMB says it opened as part of a group with Standford Hill and Elmley and became part of the HMPPS long-term high-security estate on 1 April 2017.

HMIP describes it as a category B training establishment holding mainly men on long or indeterminate sentences. HMPPS's jobs page adds that the prison is part of the Prisons ICT Academy, which prepares prisoners for technology roles, and that men work in on-site workshops such as industrial cleaning and engineering.

December 2025 inspection and Urgent Notification

In shortAll four tests were rated poor, the lowest scores of the Chief Inspector's five years, and an Urgent Notification followed.

• SafetyPoor
• RespectPoor
• Purposeful activityPoor
• Preparation for releasePoor

HMIP's unannounced inspection ran from 1 to 11 December 2025. It rated safety, respect, purposeful activity and preparation for release all 'poor', and the Chief Inspector described the lowest scores in his five years in the post.

The report was published on 19 March 2026; the Chief Inspector invoked the Urgent Notification process on 15 December 2025.

Inspectors recorded 15 key concerns, six of them priorities, found that none of the 2023 concerns had been addressed, and recorded no examples of notable positive practice.

Staffing, experience and morale

In shortOnly about three-quarters of officers were available for duty, and HMPPS records 265 FTE against a target of 334, the largest shortfall in this group.

• Officers in post265 FTEBand 3 to 5 staffing against a target of 334 at 30 June 2026, the largest shortfall in this group
• Agreed complement (IMB)258Band 3 officers; in December 290 were employed against a 'boots on the ground' target of 252, but the actual figure was 190 because of long-term sickness, absence and 21 suspensions

HMIP wrote that long-term staffing difficulties meant only about three-quarters of officers were available for duty, that the full quota of officers had been recruited but sickness and attrition were high, that only around half of officers had more than two years' experience, and that the prison relied on officers sent on detached duty from other prisons.

It said morale was very poor during the inspection, that a shortage of operational support grades limited gate searching, and that staff lacked confidence in challenging poor behaviour.

It also said many of the underlying problems, such as recruitment difficulties, drone ingress and education cuts, were the responsibility of HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice rather than of local staff.

What was and was not working

In shortA new governor had a good grasp of the challenges, but more operational grip and visible leadership were needed.

• HMPPS rating48.2%2025/26 performance rating: 'performance of serious concern'
• Longest wait for secure mental health transfer721 daysIMB

HMIP found a new governor in post since July 2025, with a good understanding of the challenges, honest self-assessment and staff support for her vision, but said more operational grip was needed and that staff and prisoners wanted more visible leadership after a period of more than a year with temporary leadership.

The report says national resources including dogs were sent to the prison and 23 prisoners were moved to other jails during the inspection, and the Deputy Prime Minister's reply referred to a national long-term high security taskforce.

Working here: supplement, jobs and travel

In shortA £3,500 a year market supplement, tied for the highest in this group, must be weighed against the inspection findings.

• Supplement£3,500A year, at 3 October 2026; non-pensionable

HMPPS has a recruitment page for prison officers and operational support grades at Swaleside. It describes a prison where men convicted of serious offences serve long sentences, with a free on-site gym, free parking and training and progression.

Swaleside is listed on the HMPPS market supplement tables with £3,500 a year as at 3 October 2026, tied for the highest in this group, non-pensionable and not guaranteed beyond March 2027; HMPPS says supplements can be withdrawn. See our market supplements guide, pay page and detached duty guide.