Read the report: HMP Highpoint

One of the largest category C training and resettlement prisons in England is failing to deliver its core purpose to prepare men for their return to the community.

HMP Highpoint in Suffolk holds just under 1,300 men, many convicted of offences related to drugs or violence. Category C prisons should support men to develop skills that will enable them to find work and resettle successfully in the community on their release. But inspectors rated the provision of purposeful activity as ‘poor’. There were not enough places for men to attend education, training and employment and staff shortages meant the well-resourced training facilities for motor vehicle mechanics, plumbing, catering, digital skills and barbering were unused at the time of the inspection.

Charlie Taylor, HM Inspector of Prisons said:

“More than a third of adults released from prison are known to reoffend within a year. With rising prison populations, and people serving longer sentences, it is essential that we address this. That can only happen if prisons fundamentally refocus to become places of rehabilitation, education and training that equip people to move on from offending and take their place in society. There was much to admire about Highpoint, which was safe, well-maintained and had excellent relationships between staff and prisoners. But, like too many other prisons, its work on education, training and resettlement wasn’t good enough.”

Highpoint comprises of two separate prisons on a large, rural campus holding a large number of men assessed as posing a high or very high risk of harm to the public. Nevertheless, the establishment was well-led, orderly, and safe. The governor had created a positive culture that encouraged good behaviour through collective and meaningful rewards, for example for the maintenance of standards on the units and in cells.

Unfortunately, drugs and other illicit items were easily available in the prison and the prison needed to do more to tackle this.

Mr Taylor continued:

“Many of our recent inspections have highlighted the importance of keeping men purposefully occupied in reducing the demand for drugs, and Highpoint was no different. With such a large, rural campus covering two prisons, keeping drugs out was challenging and the demand was fuelled by the lack of activity. Inspectors also met a number of men who had been self-isolating for extended periods out of fear for their safety – one of whom had not left his cell in a month. The prison needed to do much more to develop a more coherent and robust approach to tackling the ingress of drugs, the demand for them and their consequences.”

Notes to editors

1. Read the HMP Highpoint report, published on 30 January 2024.
2. HMP Highpoint is a category C training and resettlement prison located in Suffolk, holding just under 1300 men.
3. This inspection took place between 16–27 October 2023.
4. 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.
5. Please email media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.