United Kingdom · Midlands · Lincoln
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UK Category C 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 7 Jul 2026 · methodology
Operator
HM Prison & Probation ServicePopulation held
male
Opened
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Region
Midlands
Security level
Medium
Death-row facility
No
been a custodial facility for nearly 40 years. The establishment was formerly a preparation for release were not good enough, which was of concern in a outcomes against these two healthy prison tests to be good, our highest Senior leaders were committed to the establishment. Both the governor and her evolution. Their leadership had clearly created a culture that was encouraging by staff. — UK IMB Annual Report (2024) — Safety: 4.1 Reception and Induction 4.1.1 New receptions usually arrive in low, single-figure numbers on a weekday basis. They are searched and undergo body scanning and receive initial assessments, including risk and health. New arrivals, if standard CSRA (Cell Share Risk Assessment), are located on the induction landing of Johnson unit which is a communal unit for standard risk prisoners only. If they [...] Respect: 5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food 5.1.1 The prison supplies clothing although most prisoners wear their own and can purchase them through prison ordering. Cells are of a decent standard. Communal areas are cleaned by prison workers with prisoners responsible for their own rooms. Personal laundry is done by prison workers on each unit. 5.1.2 Torr, Sharman and Johnson currently have domestic-sized [...] Purposeful activity: 7.1.1 There is a dedicated education facility located in the activities area, run under contract by People Plus. This contract provides a range of courses including English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), mathematics, English, art, barbering, CSCS (construction site safety), peer mentoring, citizenship, cleaning and budgeting. 7.1.2 All prisoners are assessed as part of their induction [...] Preparation for release: 7.3.1 Prisoners at HMP Morton Hall typically have between three and 36 months of their sentence to serve, are of category C status, and of interest to the Home Office (HO). 7.3.2 The work of the offender management unit (OMU) takes account of HO interest in prisoners and the outcomes for them, including when and to where they can be released. For example, while, as with other category C prisons, [...]
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deputy had been in post for several years and had overseen the institution’s
it has been a closed category C resettlement prison exclusively reserved for Although this inspection was generally positive, purposeful activity and preparation for release were not good enough, which was of concern in a resettlement prison. The jail was, however, safe and respectful and we judged The main shortcomings we identified concerned the quality of the regime and access to work and education. On some units, prisoners spent all day out of positive aspects of provision, criticised the lack of ambition in the education assessment of requires improvement. Work to help reduce reoffending had been no use of release on temporary licence to support progress.
Violence and use of force were lower than at comparable prisons and the segregation was low, and the application of security procedures was generally proportionate. There had been one self-inflicted death earlier in the year, but self-harm was fairly low and prisoners who were struggling were given
Derived signal — not a judgement. How it's calculated
What the score is responding to:
This facility scores 23. The national average across 584 scored United Kingdom facilities is 4 — 19 points above national average.
Same country, matched on type + security level where possible.
Near Lincoln and set in the grounds of a former RAF station, Morton Hall has been a custodial facility for nearly 40 years. The establishment was formerly a women’s prison, and more recently an immigration removal centre. Since 2021, it has been a closed category C resettlement prison exclusively reserved for foreign national prisoners, holding up to 353 men. It is one of three such prisons across the country. Although this inspection was generally positive, purposeful activity and preparation for release were not good enough, which was of concern in a resettlement prison. The jail was, however, safe and respectful and we judged outcomes against these two healthy prison tests to be good, our highest assessment. Senior leaders were committed to the establishment. Both the governor and her deputy had been in post for several years and had overseen the institution’s evolution. Their leadership had clearly created a culture that was encouraging and respectful, with an expectation of high standards that was well understood by staff. The prison was calm and new arrivals were received a good induction. Violence and use of force were lower than at comparable prisons and the positive relationships with staff, good access to the grounds and, for some, access to activities all provided good incentives to behave well. The use of segregation was low, and the application of security procedures was generally proportionate. There had been one self-inflicted death earlier in the year, but self-harm was fairly low and prisoners who were struggling were given reasonably good care. Living accommodation was in generally good condition and was clean. The grounds were welcoming and supported prisoners’ well-being, and there was reasonable access to amenities and facilities. Although the prison’s approach to the promotion of fair treatment was unsophisticated and lacked cohesion, the generally caring ethos and quality of staff-prisoner relationships helped to mitigate this, so that outcomes across all groups were generally positive. The main shortcomings we identified concerned the quality of the regime and access to work and education. On some units, prisoners spent all day out of their cells, but on others it could be as low as three hours a day, restricted principally by a shortage of activity places. Just under half of the population was fully engaged in activity and our colleagues in Ofsted, while noting some positive aspects of provision, criticised the lack of ambition in the education curriculum and the underemployment of many prisoners, leading to their overall assessment of requires improvement. Work to help reduce reoffending had developed too slowly, leaving many prisoners frustrated that they were unable to progress through their sentence. Contact with offender managers was infrequent, progress to open conditions was hardly ever achieved and there had been no use of release on temporary licence to support progress. Help with other aspects of resettlement planning were similarly limited, and many elements in place were still very new. Despite these criticisms, Morton Hall is a capable prison and the issues we have identified are solvable. The stability of the prison and the quality of
5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food 5.1.1 The prison supplies clothing although most prisoners wear their own and can purchase them through prison ordering. Cells are of a decent standard. Communal areas are cleaned by prison workers with prisoners responsible for their own rooms. Personal laundry is done by prison workers on each unit. 5.1.2 Torr, Sharman and Johnson currently have domestic-sized washing machines and dryers with frequent breakdowns. The laundry equipment on Fry and Windsor is of a commercial, more heavy-duty standard and is not reported as a problem. Installation of commercial laundry equipment into Torr, Sharman and Johnson would require a facility upgrade. 5.1.3 The main kitchen feels well managed and is clean. The daily budget per prisoner of £3.02 continues to create a challenge, although it was increased from £2.72 last year. Prisoners receive two hot meals plus a pre-packaged basic breakfast. The food quantity is good, but quality is mixed as cheaper foodstuffs and carbohydrates dominate menus. Given the restricted budget, this is unavoidable. There are very few complaints about food and the prison works hard to provide the best meals it can with the budget constraints. 5.1.4 The Board’s conversations with prisoners indicate that they are typically satisfied with the quantity and quality of the food compared to their previous prisons. There is a full catering team and a sufficient number of prisoners working in the kitchen, described by the catering [...]
7.3.1 Prisoners at HMP Morton Hall typically have between three and 36 months of their sentence to serve, are of category C status, and of interest to the Home Office (HO). 7.3.2 The work of the offender management unit (OMU) takes account of HO interest in prisoners and the outcomes for them, including when and to where they can be released. For example, while, as with other category C prisons, there are formal categorisation reviews, HO requirements dominate, so that of 539 reviews, 48 prisoners transferred to category D (January – December 2024). It is worthy to note that, expressed as percentages, the recategorisation of prisoners has, since the last annual report, risen from around 4% of those reviewed to 9%. The table below shows the other destinations of prisoners and the continued small number leaving on home detention curfew (HDC) is notable - there is either a statutory bar or the HO identifies them as ‘presumed unsuitable’. Release on temporary licence (R TL) is not offered. Most that are assessed as ineligible for HDC is as a result of their immigration status with some being statutory ineligible due to their offence/sentence. No of HDC Release Deported HO Bail IS91 prisoners Transfers 2022 234 1 (<1%) 6 (3%) 108 (46%) 36 (16%) 26 (11%) 2023 535 2 (<1%) 20 (3%) 192 (53%) 53 (10%) 186 (35%) 2024 767 4 (<1%) 7 (<1%) 386 (51%) 69 (9%) 92 (12%) percentages rounded ** includes some prisoners who move to an immigration removal centre (IRC). Table 5. Table showing [...]
4.1 Reception and Induction 4.1.1 New receptions usually arrive in low, single-figure numbers on a weekday basis. They are searched and undergo body scanning and receive initial assessments, including risk and health. New arrivals, if standard CSRA (Cell Share Risk Assessment), are located on the induction landing of Johnson unit which is a communal unit for standard risk prisoners only. If they are a High CSRA they are located on Fry or Windsor unit, both have single cellular accommodation. There are arrivals from other prisons or transfers in from courts. Arrival times are dependent upon the incoming transport. In many cases, prisoners arrive with all their possessions which are reviewed and either released to the prisoner or stored pending final transfer out. In some cases, prisoner’s possessions may arrive at a later date. This may happen if the prisoner has a significant quantity of possessions. GEOAmey (the prisoner transport company) policy restricts the amount of property transferred between prisons as there is limited room in the vehicles. The excess property is sent on to the receiving prison at the sending prisons cost. There is inevitably a delay for the arrival of property, dependent on the efficiency of the sending prison. 4.1.2 Prisoner induction commences after arrival and takes place in the Johnson unit. Owing to the continued arrival of prisoners into the facility, the induction occurs on an ongoing, rolling basis. 4.2 Suicide and self-harm, deaths in [...]
7.1.1 There is a dedicated education facility located in the activities area, run under contract by People Plus. This contract provides a range of courses including English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), mathematics, English, art, barbering, CSCS (construction site safety), peer mentoring, citizenship, cleaning and budgeting. 7.1.2 All prisoners are assessed as part of their induction and have digital Personal Learning Plans in place. These record learning needs, including adjustments for LDD (Learning Difficulties and Disabilities) and neurodiversity. Support for these learners has been observed to be is effective. They achieve in line with or above other learners. Provision is provided by recently appointed reading and neurodiversity specialists. 7.1.3 Prisoner responses to surveys about their satisfaction with education (April – June 24) are positive. 98 out of 102 learners reported they enjoyed attending and 88 said courses were challenging but manageable. However, prisoners’ views about how information technology (IT) skills have developed through classes do not show the same high satisfaction levels. This is partly because of failures in equipment. An IT refresh is ongoing and should be completed in February 2025. A web design course is also planned. 7.1.4 Improving attendance at education has been and continues to be a priority. Changes to the ‘Rest in Cell’ policy have resulted in some improvements but increasing attendance and the uptake of education [...]
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World Prisons. (2026). HMP Morton Hall. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://worldprisons.com/prisons/hmp-morton-hall
"HMP Morton Hall." World Prisons. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://worldprisons.com/prisons/hmp-morton-hall.
@misc{worldprisons-hmp-morton-hall,
author = {{World Prisons}},
title = {HMP Morton Hall},
year = {2026},
url = {https://worldprisons.com/prisons/hmp-morton-hall},
urldate = {2026-07-21}
}