HMP Whatton

A national resource for sexual offending

In shortA category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, one of the largest specialist prisons of its kind in Europe, holding 848 men in January 2024.

• Held, January 2024848Against an operational capacity of 856
• Recalled20%
• Serving IPP sentences14%13% on life sentences
• Aged over 7064 menMen over 70; 42 foreign nationals; 187 released in the previous year

HMP Whatton is a category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, at Whatton near Bingham in Nottinghamshire. The IMB says it is one of the largest specialist prisons in Europe to offer offending behaviour programmes to this group of prisoners.

HMIP describes its reputation as a specialist national resource to support prisoners in progressing with their sentences, reducing risk and preparing for release.

Inspection findings, January 2024

In shortSafety was good, respect and release preparation reasonably good, and purposeful activity not sufficiently good, with an over-punitive approach to behaviour as the strongest criticism.

• SafetyGoodUnchanged
• RespectReasonably good
• Purposeful activityNot sufficiently good
• Preparation for releaseReasonably good

HMIP's inspection took place from 15 to 25 January 2024 and the report was published on 29 April 2024, the first full inspection since 2016. The Chief Inspector said the prison was generally continuing to operate effectively as a national resource.

Leaders had set out to improve experiences of Black prisoners, a concern raised in the previous two inspections, tightened some security procedures and improved staff welfare, and staff welcomed support, with line management meetings taking place much more often than inspectors see elsewhere.

What this means for staff

In shortWorking here combines training-prison routine with specialist risk-reduction work; staffing was 189 against a target of 190, and the IMB reports a generally safe prison.

• Band 3 to 5 officers189 FTEBand 3 to 5 staffing against a target of 190 at 30 June 2026: essentially at target

Two staffing points stand out in the inspection.

First, HMIP found good relationships between prisoners and staff in general but also some prisoners who felt they were being additionally punished within the prison because of the nature of their offence, and said staff lacked training to understand different types of offence, reduce risk, spot offence mirroring and support change.

Second, the shortage of trained programme staff was cited as the reason accredited courses were not being delivered at the pace the prison's national role required. Our guide on prison officer training and qualifications explains the standard course that all new officers complete.

• IMB 2024/25 report (1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025, published 28 January 2026): prisoners tell the Board Whatton is generally safe, the regime goes out of its way to ensure fairness, the governor holds surgeries with different groups, and no critical incidents occurred in the year
• Ministry of Justice works: a pipework project began on site in November 2024 expected to take two years, and building alterations and fire alarm upgrades planned from autumn 2026 over 43 months
• No plans to replace the B wings in the short to medium term
• The visitors' centre is now managed by the prison rather than an external provider

Getting there and applying

In shortMost staff will need a car, as stations are about 12 miles away; apply through the national route, as there is no Whatton recruitment page and no market supplement.

GOV.UK gives the address as New Lane, Whatton, Nottingham NG13 9FQ. Whatton is in the national pay zone with no market supplement on the HMPPS list (checked 3 October 2026); see prison officer pay bands.

• Trains serve Nottingham and Grantham, each about 12 miles away; Aslockton station is closer but has a limited service
• For buses, use Traveline to reach Bingham, then take a taxi for the final two miles
• National Express coaches serve Broadmarsh in Nottingham and Grantham
• Most staff will need a car