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HMP Swansea

Swansea Prison is a men’s prison in the centre of Swansea, Wales. HMPPS places it in the "Reception" functional group. Band 3 prison officer pay here starts at £37,131 on a 39-hour contract (2026/27 rates). At 447 places it is the smallest of the 4 establishments we list in Wales with a published capacity.

HMPPS prison officer jobsWork out my take-home hereCompare with other prisons

HMP Swansea at a glance

  • At 447 places it is the smallest of the 4 establishments we list in Wales with a published capacity.
  • Among the 30 prisons in the HMPPS "Reception" functional group with a published capacity, it ranks 27th by size.
  • Its latest full HMIP inspection (report published 20 June 2023) graded safety "good" and purposeful activity "not sufficiently good".
Type
HMP
Holds
Men
Run by
HMPPS (public sector)
Nation
Wales
Region (geographic)
Wales
HMPPS prison region
HMPS WalesWorkforce statistics, June 2026
Town / county
Swansea
Postcode
SA1 3SR
HMPPS functional group
ReceptionA role label, not each prisoner's security category
Officer pay zone
National (all other locations)
Band 3 market supplement
None listedHMPPS pay page, 3 October 2026
Operational capacity
447As at 24 August 2026
Latest HMIP report published
20 June 2023

Official description (GOV.UK/SPS/NI Justice): “Swansea Prison is a men’s prison in the centre of Swansea, Wales.” Official page.

A Victorian local prison with a long record

In shortSwansea is a cramped Victorian inner-city local prison for men up to and including category B, long one of the most overcrowded in England and Wales.

  • Operational capacity447HMPPS August 2026 bulletin
  • Prisoners held399On 24 August 2026; certified normal accommodation in use: 255
  • Held at 2023 inspection406Against a baseline certified normal capacity of 265
  • New prisoners received3,191In the year before the 2023 inspection

HMIP describes it as a reception prison with responsibility also for the resettlement of prisoners in the local area. It has an intensive prisoner support unit for those who struggle to cope. Our prison categories guide explains the reception role.

  • A wing: sentenced and remand. B wing: induction.
  • D wing: full-time workers and veterans. E wing: segregation unit.
  • G wing: an incentivised substance-free living unit since 2021.
  • GOV.UK says around 500 prisoners are held across six units, with learning in basic skills such as English, Welsh and maths, and employment in workshops, kitchens and recycling.

History (HMIP)

  1. 1845 to 1861Built

    Building started in 1845 and was completed in 1861.

  2. 1922Women transferred to Cardiff Prison

    It had held both male and female prisoners until then.

  3. Early 1980sSamaritans-trained prisoner Listener scheme started

    HMIP says it has since developed into a nationwide provision.

HMIP inspection, February to March 2023

In shortSwansea improved on 2017 in all four tests in 2023, helped by a positive culture around education and work, with three priority concerns.

  • SafetyGood
  • RespectReasonably good
  • Purposeful activityNot sufficiently good
  • Rehabilitation and release planningReasonably good

HMIP carried out an unannounced inspection between 21 February and 10 March 2023 and published its report on 20 June 2023 (previous inspection: August 2017). The Chief Inspector wrote that, despite the constraints of an overcrowded 19th century site, leaders had worked effectively over the previous 18 months to improve outcomes.

The new governor, appointed a month before the inspection, had a solid foundation to build on.

Strengths

  • A positive culture encouraged prisoners to attend education and work.
  • Prisoners who worked could access regular evening association, two additional gym sessions and some self-cooking facilities.
  • In a roll check just 8% of the population were locked up during the working day, far fewer than in other prisons.
  • Prisoners were more positive about staff than in similar jails, and violence against staff and prisoners was among the lowest of all reception prisons.

Concerns

  • Three priority concerns: no formal induction process, too many prisoners in cells designed for one, and a weekend regime of only 90 minutes out of cell.
  • Others about workshops, attendance, and releases without accommodation.
  • Estyn, the Welsh education inspectorate, found some weaknesses in provision, particularly too few spaces.

Independent Monitoring Board report

In shortThe IMB called Swansea generally safe with a stable, experienced workforce, but overcrowded, with four deaths in custody recorded.

  • Deaths in custody4IMB report covering 1 November 2023 to 30 April 2025

The prison's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) published its report covering 1 November 2023 to 30 April 2025 in February 2026.

  • Generally a safe prison with a stable workforce and generally good prisoner and staff relationships, relatively low violence and self-harm compared with similar establishments, and a safe and effective reception.
  • The largely Victorian estate poses ongoing challenges; a programme of refurbishment is under way at a pace limited by funding.
  • Double occupancy of cells designed for one creates overcrowded conditions for most prisoners.
  • A stable, experienced workforce, though inexperience in rarely encountered situations occasionally had a bearing on incidents; many prisoners are known to longer-serving officers, which helps constructive relationships.
  • The Board recognised the prison's action on the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman's recommendations.

Staffing, rating and working at Swansea

In shortSwansea's officer numbers were at or slightly above target and HMPPS rated it 3 of 4; it is on national pay with no recruitment page of its own.

  • Officers, 30 June 2026174 FTEBand 3 to 5, hours adjusted; target 173
  • HMPPS rating 2025/263 of 4"Good performance"; overall score 65.9%
  • Market supplementNone listedHMPPS pay page, checked 3 October 2026

Both staffing and rating figures are snapshots and the inspection findings above date from 2023.

Working at Swansea

  • There is no Swansea-specific recruitment page on the prison and probation jobs site.
  • No official source reviewed gave a nearest station or travel guidance, so check travel on the prison finder.
  • Compare earnings on the pay page and apply through the officer recruitment route.

Officer pay at HMP Swansea

National (all other locations) zone; Band 3 rates from 1 April 2026, including the 20% unsocial hours allowance.

Band 3, 39 hours, entry£37,131No market supplement listed
Band 3, 37 hours, entry£34,928Trainee contract
Band 3, 41 hours, top pay point£41,417Highest Band 3 option here
Band 3 prison officer pay at HMP Swansea, 2026/27 (£ a year, base rates before supplement)
Contract hoursEntry (pay point 1)Maximum (pay point 3)
37 hours (trainee contract) incl. 20% unsocial hours£34,928£36,778
39 hours (2 additional committed hours)£37,131£39,097
41 hours (4 additional committed hours)£39,334£41,417

PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E. No supplement listed on the HMPPS jobs site, 3 October 2026.

Other grades at HMP Swansea (2026/27, £ a year)
GradeContractFromUp to
Band 2 Operational Support Grade37 hours incl. 25% unsocial hours£31,761£31,761
Band 4 Supervising / Specialist Officer37 hours incl. 20% unsocial hours£41,328£41,328
Band 5 Custodial Manager39 hours incl. 2 pensionable committed hours£47,327£49,600

Supplements apply to Band 3 only. PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E.

Turn these into take-home with the pay calculator, or see what the journey costs with the commute cost calculator. Band 3 pay explained.

Open the calculator pre-filled for Swansea

Capacity, performance and staffing

At 24 August 2026: operational capacity 447, population 399 (89%), certified normal accommodation in use 255. HMPPS monthly population bulletin.

HMPPS performance rating, 2025/26

RatingGood performance
Overall score65.9%
Functional groupReception

Scale 4 (outstanding) to 1 (serious concern). HMPPS prison performance ratings 2025/26.

Officer staffing against target

At 30 June 2026: 174 FTE Band 3 to 5 officers against a target of 173 (+1, 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. See prison categories explained or all Reception prisons.

Latest inspection

HMIP's most recent report on Swansea was published 20 June 2023 (full inspection report); that is the publication date, not the visit date.

safetygood
respectreasonably good
purposeful activitynot sufficiently good
preparation for releasereasonably good

Grades from the latest full inspection report, published 20 June 2023.

Of the 122 prisons with full HMIP grades, 36 share its "good" safety grade and 53 its "not sufficiently good" purposeful-activity grade.

Read the HMIP report

Working at HMP Swansea and how to apply

There is no Swansea-specific page on the HMPPS jobs site; adverts are listed by location. Read the live advert for closing dates and assessment-centre details.

Postcode: SA1 3SR. View on a map. GOV.UK gives no railway station for this prison.

Other prisons in Wales and similar prisons

These establishments are in the same county or region (6 listed in Wales). See all of them in one table.

Similar by HMPPS functional group (Reception)

Compare Swansea side by side in the prison finder

Related guides

HMP Swansea: frequently asked questions

How much does a prison officer earn at HMP Swansea?

From £37,131 a year on 39 hours at the entry pay point, rising to £39,097 (National zone, 2026/27).

What category is HMP Swansea?

HMPPS lists it in the "Reception" functional group, a label for the prison's role rather than the category of each prisoner.

How many prisoners can HMP Swansea hold?

Operational capacity 447, population 399 at 24 August 2026 (HMPPS bulletin).

When was HMP Swansea last inspected?

HMIP's latest report, published 20 June 2023, is a full inspection. Grades at the latest full inspection (20 June 2023): safety good, respect reasonably good, purposeful activity not sufficiently good, preparation for release reasonably good.

How do I apply to work at HMP Swansea?

There is no Swansea page on the HMPPS jobs site, so use the general HMPPS prison officer page, where adverts are listed by location.

When was HMP Swansea built?

HMIP records that building started in 1845 and was completed in 1861. It held male and female prisoners until 1922, when women moved to Cardiff Prison. It operates today as a category B reception prison serving south-west Wales and is one of the more overcrowded prisons in England and Wales.

What did HMIP say about staff-prisoner relations at Swansea?

In its 2023 report HMIP said prisoners at Swansea were more positive about staff than in similar jails and more likely to have a member of staff to turn to. The prison's monitoring board later described a stable, experienced workforce and generally constructive relationships.

Does Swansea pay a market supplement?

No market supplement is listed for Swansea on the HMPPS prison officer pay page (checked 3 October 2026), so national pay applies. Always confirm the current position in the vacancy advert. HMPPS can add, change or withdraw supplements at individual sites, so check the live advert and your offer letter before relying on any figure.

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.

Not verified for this prison: No HMIP inspection after March 2023 was found, so the findings are more than three years old; No Swansea-specific recruitment page was found on the prison and probation jobs site; No official source reviewed gave a nearest railway station or travel guidance for staff.