United Kingdom · North-West · Lancashire
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UK Open (Cat D) prison operated by HM Prison & Probation Service. Listed in the GOV.UK Find a prison directory.
Capacity
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Current population
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Occupancy
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Year opened
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Operational
Figures from official sources · verified 6 Jul 2026 · methodology
Operator
HM Prison & Probation ServicePopulation held
male
Opened
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Region
North-West
Security level
Minimum
Death-row facility
No
training centre. The facility was taken over by the Home Office in the This review visit followed up on the concerns we raised at our last made the following judgements about outcomes for prisoners. Figure 1: HMP Kirkham healthy prison outcomes in 2018 and 2024 population crisis had disrupted the normal running of the jail and the The rate of prisoners testing positive for drug use was the highest in relieve boredom. Living conditions for many prisoners were poor and relationships between staff and prisoners were not good enough. — UK IMB Annual Report (2022) — Safety: 4.1 Reception and induction 4.1.1 On arrival at HMP Kirkham, prisoners go through a comprehensive induction process. Transferring prisoners are checked by healthcare and given a first-night information pack prepared by the Partners of Prisoners (POPS) family support organisation. New prisoners are located away from the main camp in a two-storey building, allowing induction to take place in a calm [...] Respect: 5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food 5.1.1 The major build programme approved in 2021 saw many projects completed during 2022, including: • Work to resurface roads and paths, lower kerbs etc as part of the disability audit, and to line-paint the car park was completed. • The new concept building was handed over in February and occupied in April. • The new concept building was handed over in February [...] Purposeful activity: 7.1.1 Education was a main concern in our last report. However, the prison has taken significant steps to stabilise the management and improve the offer to prisoners. 7.1.2 The Novus contract was under review throughout the year, with the quality of content and management of staff being issues of concern. These were addressed with regular meetings with Novus. An education manager was appointed on [...] Preparation for release: 7.3.1 Custodial managers were moved out of the OMU as a result of OMiC and replaced with an additional hub manager and dedicated prison offender managers (POMs). As a result, POMs are now more readily available to prisoners to deal with their concerns and progress their sentence plans, which has had a positive impact on the prisoners. 7.3.2 OMiC has been largely successfully rolled out over the [...]
This review visit followed up on the concerns we raised at our last What we found during this review visit
Format: Prisoner Name & Number, HMP Kirkham, HMP Kirkham Freckleton Road Kirkham Preston Lancashire PR4 2RN See map Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey .. Use Send Money to a Prisoner (GOV.UK) for funds — cash not accepted.
Note: rehabilitation and release planning became ‘preparation for release’ in October 2023. resettlement work before they were released. This greatly impacted the work of the offender management unit (OMU) and hindered progress Although the provision of education and the range of work opportunities release on temporary licence (ROTL) was lower than in other open jails and too few prisoners could access paid work in the community. There were too few enrichment activities outside of education and work to Preparation for the release of higher risk prisoners was neither timely Although leaders had worked hard to reduce the supply and had found large demand.
The rate of prisoners testing positive for drug use was the highest in The drug problem at Kirkham had got worse. Leaders had made a Positive results for mandatory drug tests had risen above 40%. At 25% the rate of prisoners testing positive for drug use was by far the highest activity that would help prisoners to stay off drugs, get them fit, and improve
Derived signal — not a judgement. How it's calculated
What the score is responding to:
This facility scores 26. The national average across 584 scored United Kingdom facilities is 4 — 22 points above national average.
Same country, matched on type + security level where possible.
1.1 HMP Kirkham occupies the site of a former Royal Air Force technical training centre. The facility was taken over by the Home Office in the early 1960s and has been in use as a prison since 1962. Prisoner accommodation was built or rebuilt over the period 1990–2022, but other parts of the prison date back to the 1940s. New accommodation, in the form of temporary modular accommodation, was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, and a brick-built unit replacing an older structure opened in 2022. 1.2 This review visit followed up on the concerns we raised at our last inspection of HMP Kirkham in 2024. What we found at our last inspection 1.3 At our previous inspections of HMP Kirkham in 2018 and 2024 we made the following judgements about outcomes for prisoners. Figure 1: HMP Kirkham healthy prison outcomes in 2018 and 2024 Note: rehabilitation and release planning became ‘preparation for release’ in October 2023. 1.4 At the last inspection, HMP Kirkham was not fulfilling its purpose as a category D prison. Interventions to reduce the national prison population crisis had disrupted the normal running of the jail and the temporary presumptive recategorisation scheme (TPRS) had led to a large influx of category C prisoners. Many of these prisoners had just a few months left on their sentence, limiting the time available for resettlement work before they were released. This greatly impacted the work of the offender management unit (OMU) and hindered progress for many other prisoners at the jail. 1.5 The rate of prisoners testing positive for drug use was the highest in the open estate (25%), with several factors contributing to this problem. Although the provision of education and the range of work opportunities Report of an independent review of progress at HMP Kirkham available in the prison were good, the proportion of prisoners receiving release on temporary licence (ROTL) was lower than in other open jails and too few prisoners could access paid work in the community. There were too few enrichment activities outside of education and work to relieve boredom. Living conditions for many prisoners were poor and relationships between staff and prisoners were not good enough. 1.6 Preparation for the release of higher risk prisoners was neither timely nor well organised. What we found during this review visit 1.7 The drug problem at Kirkham had got worse. Leaders had made a concerted effort to improve their strategy, but it was not yet effective. Positive results for mandatory drug tests had risen above 40%. 1.8 Relationships between staff and prisoners had improved, but too many prisoners still lived in poor accommodation. Prisoners on the specialist and refurbished units were more positive about staff and living
Kirkham has had a difficult two years, with interventions to reduce the national prison population crisis having disrupted the normal running of this Lancashire open jail. The temporary presumptive recategorisation scheme (TPRS), which saw a large influx of category C prisoners with only a few months to go on their sentence (a proportion of whom were not suitable for open prison) had, in particular, contributed to the challenges we identified on this inspection. At 25% the rate of prisoners testing positive for drug use was by far the highest in the open estate. Kirkham was, in fact, in the top third of all adult male prisons in the country and inspectors frequently smelt cannabis around the jail. Although leaders had worked hard to reduce the supply and had found large quantities of illicit items in searches, they had not done enough to reduce the demand. We were surprised that prisoners returning from work in the community were not routinely searched when they entered the prison. The biggest incentive to behave in open prison is release on temporary licence (ROTL), as well as being allowed to spend time at home. This also gives prisoners the opportunity to work outside the jail, get into good habits, earn some money and transition smoothly back into the community. At Kirkham it was very disappointing to find that the proportion of prisoners receiving ROTL was far lower than in other open jails. For most prisoners, it was taking at least four months to be approved for ROTL, and over six months for those who were higher risk. The provision of education was better than we often see and there was a good range of work opportunities in the prison. On the extensive land around the jail prisoners could look after the cattle and pigs or work in the market garden. It was disappointing, however, to see that much of the land was not in use and greenhouses were unused and dilapidated. Not enough use was made of the excellent timber workshop where prisoners built furniture for other prisons and made sheds to be sold in the farm shop, particularly given the limited ROTL opportunities for prisoners to go out to work. Apart from some clubs in the welcoming, well-used library, there were few of the sorts of enrichment activities we have seen in recent inspections of other open prisons, and men frequently complained that they were bored in the evenings or weekends. Relationships between staff and prisoners were poor and there were few opportunities to break down barriers. Prisoners frequently told inspectors that they were treated with disdain and we saw very little interaction, either positive or negative. At our last inspection, six years before, we had made similar criticism, so it was disappointing to find that, if anything, things had got worse. Leaders had allowed a culture to develop that was not supporting prisoners to prepare for their eventual release. It was deeply depressing to find the brand new, £10 million gym was rarely full and that sessions were frequently cancelled. Similarly, the outdoor football pitch was virtually unused. Above the gym there was further space with empty classrooms and more equipment that prisoners were not allowed to use. A risk aversion among staff meant that prisoners could not use any of the facilities unsupervised; this meant that opportunities were wasted to provide physical activity that would help prisoners to stay off drugs, get them fit, and improve their health and well-being. Prisoners were housed in aging wings known as billets, many of which had showers in a poor state, with black mould on the walls and ceilings caused by inadequate ventilation. Although the men spent 12 hours a day unlocked, there was little for them to do on the billets in the evening, and the small, sparse recreation rooms contained little more than a dart board to help them pass the time.
• Regardless of improvements in C2W, opportunities for outside work had been seriously hindered by ROTL processes arising from the increased workload on the offender management unit (OMU) through TPRS. It is pleasing to note that discussions have been held between the OMU and C2W improving procedures. • The appointment of two senior probation officers was crucial in progressing offender management, but both resigned within the reporting period. • Most staffing issues have been largely addressed. HMIP recognised there had been some serious deficiencies in processes leading to significant discontent (see number of applications below). This led to changes with up to five staff working on ROTL Boards, which have now reverted back to a paper version. • It is impossible to overstate the negative impact TPRS had on the OMU, which lead to increased and ever-changing workload. This is clearly to the detriment of their important work in other areas of the prison, particularly the processing of ROTL Boards. • Similarly, this constant churn, equivalent to four prison populations (emptied twice and filled twice during period) together with the introduction of SDS40 and HDC12 has again diverted staff from their regular responsibilities. Despite 16 excellent staff efforts and excessive numbers, the short turnaround of prisoners remains challenging to deliver, particularly in terms of sentence calculation. • It was clear some staff and prisoners were suffering with mental health related [...]
There was a considerable churn of prisoners over the reporting period due to government actions to reduce the prison population. The maximum capacity was 699. The maximum population was 692 (99% capacity) in February 2024 and the minimum 415 (60%) in November 2024. In the nineteen months there had been 1388 receptions and 1511 discharges. • These volumes had an inevitable effect on the effective and efficient running of the prison. The Board can report that, in its opinion, the prison coped extremely well. Kirkham continued to receive the highest number of TPRS prisoners of the 13 open prisons. There had been a marked increase in the number of TPRS prisoners received during the first seven months of 2025 compared to the entire 2024 (640 compared to 335) and to discharges (443 against 140). • Although staff coped well, the short sentence time remaining for many TPRS prisoners had a negative effect on resettlement elements of the prison’s function. • There continues to be an overarching concern regarding the accuracy of suitability categorisation assessments undertaken at category C prisons aiming to transfer prisoners to category D facilities. Combined with funding cuts and increases to external education course provision potentially increases the public risk exposure associated with inappropriate categorisation and category D ROTL. 4.1 Reception and induction • The prison dealt well with large numbers of receptions, and discharges. Although receptions are planned, there are [...]
• The library continues to be well staffed and stocked, remaining popular. Improvements included e-learning and online access to DVLA and construction courses. It served as a drop-in centre for healthcare and hosts mindfulness sessions. • Storybook Dads, where prisoners record themselves reading a story for their children on a CD or DVD, remains popular. An innovation this year has been Raising Reading, where dads and their children read the same books and discuss over the phone. • Education initiatives such as mid-life MOT, savings and life ambition and ‘progress to work’ continued to be led by an orderly programme, with steady implementation. • All NOVUS courses are quality assured by the learning and skills manager and the hub manager, which was recognised by OFSTED in a recent inspection. • Good relationships continue with local higher education providers, mainly UCLAN (IT) Preston College, Blackpool and Fylde College (construction) and Myerscough College (horticulture). At the Board’s prompting, L3 Electrical courses are now provided at Preston and Blackpool; in addition, some prisoners are engaged in Open University courses. • Courses in IT and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (sometimes required for work on a construction site) continue to be heavily subscribed. • The close cooperation with Shannon Trust charity continues to benefit prisoners with reading difficulties. • Staffing issues around IT provision were rectified. There is concern that a budget [...]
The Board observed some improvements to effective relationships and work processes between staff and prisoners. The accommodation challenges presented from the introduction of TPRS have steadily reduced. Aging facilities increasingly require further repair to remain operational. The prison has introduced a rolling programme for to improve the billet accommodation, which is all ‘self-help’, with no major investment support. The entire regime of this resettlement prison has been disrupted due to the continued large influx of short-term prisoners with very different needs, which the prison was not staffed to manage, whilst also dealing with wider budget reductions. 5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food • Adequate provision of basic billet furniture has been overcome and improved from the initial issues from the TPRS population surge. • A refurbishment programme of billet shower rooms has commenced. Overall billet conditions have a significant variation of age and conditions. • Historical temporary billet accommodation showing signs of age and have no long-term replacement plan. • Lack of heating and hot water for long durations during winter continued to be a significant issue, creating damp living and working conditions for prisoners and staff awaiting protracted repair by AMEY maintenance contractors, despite being under the focus of special measures. • No evidence of strategic spares management by contractor to prevent reoccurrence of prolonged heating and hot water issues. • [...]
4.1 Reception and induction 4.1.1 On arrival at HMP Kirkham, prisoners go through a comprehensive induction process. Transferring prisoners are checked by healthcare and given a first-night information pack prepared by the Partners of Prisoners (POPS) family support organisation. New prisoners are located away from the main camp in a two-storey building, allowing induction to take place in a calm and more controlled environment. 4.1.2 New arrivals at Kirkham are from closed conditions and are inducted on day two into the life of an open prison. This process has returned to face-to-face meetings, with an induction officer in group sessions. The regime of an open prison is explained, together with opportunities for education and job training (outside and inside the prison), including release on a temporary licence (ROTL). Prisoners are advised on what is expected from them in an open prison. 4.1.3 Prisoners, on arrival, bring limited amounts of property. Remaining property is sent on by courier. Property of prisoners leaving Kirkham for another prison is forwarded with successfully, but property of incoming prisoners still suffers delay. 4.2 Suicide and self-harm, deaths in custody 4.2.1 There have been no deaths in custody. 4.2.2 There have been three incidents of self-harm during the year (three in 2021). One by ingestion, one cutting and one with the use of a ligature. 4.2.3 Five assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) documents were opened (eight in 2021). Three [...]
7.3.1 Custodial managers were moved out of the OMU as a result of OMiC and replaced with an additional hub manager and dedicated prison offender managers (POMs). As a result, POMs are now more readily available to prisoners to deal with their concerns and progress their sentence plans, which has had a positive impact on the prisoners. 7.3.2 OMiC has been largely successfully rolled out over the year. Meetings with prisoners are held 12 weeks prior to release, with handover between the POMs and community offender managers (COMs) taking place seven and a half months before release. High-risk offenders are given priority. CRC staff do not form part of the OMiC structure. One member of staff is based in the OMU but carries out resettlement work. There are two Head of Offender Management Delivery in place. 7.3.3 There is now a full complement of POMs and 2.2 probation officers in post. 7.3.4 There is clearly a shortage of approved premises (AP) places available, with prisoners released on licence taking priority. The provision of approved premises --- (APs) has improved, but allocation can still be challenging. Representatives from APs regularly visit the prison to discuss what is involved in having a place at an AP. 7.3.5 ROTL has been increased over the year, subject to fluctuations in response to the national situation. Before restrictions were lifted, 200 applications had been approved and were ready to go. Subsequently, by mid-May, 340 ROTLs had been activated, with a [...]
5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food 5.1.1 The major build programme approved in 2021 saw many projects completed during 2022, including: • Work to resurface roads and paths, lower kerbs etc as part of the disability audit, and to line-paint the car park was completed. • The new concept building was handed over in February and occupied in April. • The new concept building was handed over in February and occupied in April. • The major 18-month fire alarm project was completed in May. • The major 18-month fire alarm project was completed in May. • Hangar 4 was demolished in January and two billets (old ex-oil rig • Hangar 4 was demolished in January and two billets (old ex-oil rig accommodation) were demolished in May. • The new timbers building was completed in August – an amazing facility, • The new timbers building was completed in August – an amazing facility, complete with sound-proofed classrooms and an excellent ventilation system. 5.1.2 Funding of £10.5 million was approved in July for the replacement gymnasium, with work starting in October. The expected handover date is October 2023. 5.1.3 While operational prison capacity stands at 699, occupancy levels remain around 470. In early 2022 detailed plans were developed to manage the anticipated increase in numbers. However, with abscond rates increasing rapidly, ministers stopped further transfers to Kirkham for two weeks to identify and put plans in place to limit a recurrence. 5.1.4 Given the abscond spike, coupled with [...]
7.1.1 Education was a main concern in our last report. However, the prison has taken significant steps to stabilise the management and improve the offer to prisoners. 7.1.2 The Novus contract was under review throughout the year, with the quality of content and management of staff being issues of concern. These were addressed with regular meetings with Novus. An education manager was appointed on an interim basis; this is now a permanent post. Staffing issues and attendance dips and competing activities such as gym and paid work by prisoners were the main issues impeding attainment across the board. After some delay, an IT teacher is now in post. There have been similar difficulties in recruiting a teacher of mathematics, an area where performance is below standard. 7.1.3 Direct claims status has been regained, with the prison now able to issue its own qualifications without external accreditation. Prisoners are now working beyond level 2 qualifications, and progression pathways to level 3 and beyond are being explored. With a diverse prison population, the list of educational provision ranges from basic literacy, in conjunction with the Shannon Trust, to higher-level degree courses through the University of Central Lancashire and Lancaster University, funded mainly through the Prisoners’ Education Trust. 7.1.4 The library had difficulties re-establishing itself after the pandemic. Whilst experiencing a slow start, activities have improved, with Storybook Dads and Raising [...]
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World Prisons. (2026). HMP Kirkham. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://worldprisons.com/prisons/hmp-kirkham
"HMP Kirkham." World Prisons. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://worldprisons.com/prisons/hmp-kirkham.
@misc{worldprisons-hmp-kirkham,
author = {{World Prisons}},
title = {HMP Kirkham},
year = {2026},
url = {https://worldprisons.com/prisons/hmp-kirkham},
urldate = {2026-07-21}
}