Read the report: HMP&YOI Doncaster

Inspectors to HMP&YOI Doncaster, a category B reception and resettlement prison in South Yorkshire, found a safe and well-led establishment. As a busy and complex prison, catering for a wide variety of men and young adults – including 165 foreign nationals and 170 men convicted of sexual offences – it did well to maintain mostly good outcomes for those held.

Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, said:

“Doncaster prison is a challenging institution, and the Inspectorate has, in the past, been highly critical of the outcomes we have observed there. It is pleasing therefore to report that, overall, the findings of this inspection are very encouraging.”

Outcomes for safety and respect were judged ‘reasonably good’, while release and rehabilitation planning was considered ‘good’, the highest score. Doncaster was let down by its provision of purposeful activity, which remained ‘not sufficiently good’. Prisoners were only unlocked for around two and a half hours a day, and attendance to education and skills activities was not consistently high.

The quality of education was also inconsistent, with key weaknesses in the planning and teaching of English and maths. Staff shortages in English teaching further compounded the problems. Inspectors found a leadership team keen to improve education provision, however, and some progress had been made. Over half of Ofsted’s recommendations from the last inspection had been implemented, and senior leaders were innovative and creative in driving improvement.

Safety had been prioritised by leaders, and violence levels had reduced considerably since the last inspection. Monthly meetings were used effectively to interrogate a wide range of safety data, and all acts of violence were investigated promptly.

Self-harm incidents were still higher than in similar prisons, but some ongoing initiatives appeared promising. Eight prisoners had completed a theory-based toolkit programme, ‘Break the Cycle’, and had reduced their self-harm by 63% overall.

Inspectors found a good approach to rehabilitation and release planning. The ‘Families First’ team provided excellent support for prisoners and their relatives despite the difficulties posed by COVID-19 restrictions. Prisoners spoke positively about their prison offender managers, and inspectors saw good levels of contact through calls and emails as well as face-to-face meetings.

Mr Taylor said:

“Doncaster is not an easy prison to run. Leaders and their staff are to be congratulated on the progress they have achieved even during challenging times.”

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Notes to editors

1. Read the HMP&YOI Doncaster report, published on 16 June 2022.
2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
3. The prison opened its doors in 1994 and was originally contracted to Premier Prison Services Ltd (owned by Serco and Wackenhut Corrections). In 2005, the prison management was contracted to Serco.
4. HMP & YOI Doncaster is a category B local and resettlement prison accommodating young adult (18–20 years) and adult male prisoners.
5. At the time of this inspection, the establishment held 1,107 prisoners.
6. Inspectors identified nine examples of notable positive practice.
7. This inspection took place on 21-22 February and 28 February – 4 March 2022.
8. Please contact Ed Owen at ed.owen1@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.