HMP Wymott

History and role

In shortOpened in 1979, Wymott is a category C training prison for adult men near Leyland, with a population of about 40% mainstream men and 60% men convicted of sexual offences.

• Wings11Several specialist; accommodation mainly dates from the 1970s (IMB 2024-25)
• Operational capacity, May 20251,192HMPPS’s August 2026 figures show 1,144
• Sharing cells~200Approximately 200 prisoners

The population is about 40% mainstream category C prisoners and 60% prisoners convicted of a sexual offence, most serving four years or more.

Who is held and the specialist wings

In shortAbout 1,182 men at the 2023 inspection, many older or with specialist needs, with notable units such as the Haven wing.

• Held, 20231,182
• Older prisoners32%Over 50; 5% over 70
• Serving IPP sentences162
• Substance misuse support281

About 65 arrived and 18 were released each month. The Inspectorate noted that although it is not a resettlement prison, it was releasing around 20 prisoners a month because of population pressures elsewhere.

• The Haven wing for older prisoners and those with a disability, offering social and palliative care; HMIP highlighted it as an example of innovation.
• A drug and alcohol therapeutic community on K wing.
• Two psychologically informed planned environment (PIPE) units for men with personality-related needs.
• An enhanced unit, and induction wings.
• A buddy scheme supporting over 150 prisoners with disabilities.

What inspectors found in 2023

In shortA mixed result: safety reasonably good and release preparation good, but respect and activity not sufficiently good, with serious criticism of leadership investment.

• SafetyReasonably good
• RespectNot sufficiently good
• Purposeful activityNot sufficiently good
• Preparation for releaseGood

HMIP’s unannounced inspection (report published 3 April 2024) was its first full inspection since 2016. Ofsted rated the quality of education as ‘requires improvement’.

The Chief Inspector wrote that senior leaders had failed to invest in the prison. Excessive waits of up to 39 weeks for psychological therapies were recorded.

Staffing and staff-prisoner relationships

In shortRelationships were a strength and officers were in post, but very high sickness left too few staff available on the wings.

IMB annual report, June 2024 to May 2025

In shortThe IMB reported continuing staff absence, drones, more use of force and deteriorating living conditions.

The IMB’s report said Wymott continued to suffer the effects of staffing shortages, with the rate of absence among uniformed staff one of the highest in the region.

Towards the end of the reporting year a number of new officers from outside the UK were appointed on a right-to-work scheme; the Board described them as largely inexperienced and said they might not be able to remain long term, and asked the Minister what steps would protect their employment status.

• Drones regularly delivering packages.
• A notable increase in use of force (mainly unplanned) and continued deterioration in living conditions.
• The Board asked what HMPPS would do to mentor and support new and recently recruited officers.
• The shortage of work for mainstream category C men meant they had been without regular work for the entire year.
• A roof repair for a category C workshop had been funded.

Planned new prison next door

In shortA new prison for up to 1,700 prisoners, planned beside Wymott and Garth, was approved in December 2024; staffing plans for it are not confirmed.

• Planned places1,700Approved December 2024 (IMB)
• Completion target2031Trade report of 1 September 2026 (secondary source) names it HMP Garth 2, category C
• Enabling worksOver £400mLaing O’Rourke, per the same trade report

The IMB’s report records that the new prison, planned beside Wymott and Garth, was approved in December 2024 and that the Government announced it would go ahead. The trade report places it on the border of Chorley and Leyland.

The Board asked the Minister whether the new prison would ease population pressure at Wymott. We have not found an official MoJ page stating the staffing plans for the new site, so check recruitment announcements locally.

Working at Wymott

In shortOn the national Band 3 pay scale with no market supplement listed as at 3 October 2026; the nearest station is Leyland.

Wymott is a public-sector prison on the national Band 3 pay scale with no market supplement listed on the HMPPS pay page as at 3 October 2026; see our pay hub and prison officer pay bands guide for the 2026/27 figures.

• GOV.UK says the nearest station is Leyland, from which you can take a taxi or bus.
• We found no Wymott-specific recruitment page on the Prison and Probation Jobs site, so apply through the national route in becoming a prison officer.
• Our guide to prison categories explains training prisons, and prison officer jobs by region compares nearby options including Garth, Preston and Kirkham.