Overview
- The IMB's annual report published on September 3 says HMP Millsike’s April 2025 opening was 'chaotic', with basic procedures such as locking doors and counting prisoners not consistently followed.
- Inspectors say the prison continues to suffer a 'chronic shortfall' of trained officers driven by a shortened mobilisation period, Mitie’s limited experience, the site's rural location and denied pre‑opening training placements.
- MoJ figures show a maximum capacity of 1,468, an operating capacity of 1,158 and a population of 1,124, leaving more than 300 cells empty and creating pressure to fill places despite staffing gaps.
- Violence was high in the first year with 103 prisoner‑on‑prisoner and 85 prisoner‑on‑staff assaults, and although assaults have fallen after changes they remain at elevated levels that affect safety and staff retention.
- An interim director paused new intakes and introduced a simplified regime that improved some operations, but the IMB warns the restricted regime limits prisoners' access to work and education and that expanding wings before staffing stabilises could jeopardise stability.