First reported 3 Sep 2014•Latest report 24 Mar 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes deficiencies in prison staffing establishment, benchmarks, deployment or coverage where they directly impair safe operation of the prison regime, welfare monitoring, emergency response or incident management, including pressure from changing prisoner cohorts, contraband or substance-related incidents.
Not included
Excludes staffing deficiencies in healthcare, care homes, police call-handling or other non-prison services unless the assertion explicitly concerns prison staffing.
Excludes failures of staff competence, training or supervision when staffing capacity is not the shared unsafe condition.
Excludes restricted regimes, observation failures or delayed responses when they are asserted without a direct prison staffing-capacity deficiency.
Excludes generic workforce or resource shortages that are not tied to safe prison regime operation or incident response.
Reports
9
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
10
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
22
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
HM Prison and Probation Service7
Ministry of Justice3
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust1
Birmingham Prison1
Lowdham Grange Prison1
NHS England1
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust1
Serco Group plc1
Sodexo1
Executive agency7
Ministerial department3
NHS trust2
Prison or young offender institution2
Executive non-departmental public body1
Prison operator1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Kent and Medway
Concerns raised1
Insufficient numbers of experienced prison officers across the prison estate
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Failure of staffing benchmarks to account for operational pressures from contraband and psychoactive substance incidents
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Complete a review of adult public-sector prison staffing models, including operational pressure impacts on daily resourcing.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 November 2025.
Action
Develop implementation plans for new adult public-sector prison staffing models, subject to final decisions.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 November 2025.
Nottinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Inadequate prison and healthcare staffing levels
This report raised 13 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Promote prison nursing recruitment through the ‘We Are Prison Nurses’ campaign and its recruitment resources.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2025.
Action
Provide recruitment, retention and staffing support to improve workforce levels at Lowdham Grange.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2025.
Action
Ringfence key safety tasks and safer-custody staff against future resourcing pressures.
Stated by SodexoStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Healthcare staffing is the responsibility of the healthcare provider, which has responded separately.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Buckinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Insufficient general staffing levels for operating the daily regime, training and responding to individual incidents
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Review staffing requirements and redistribute available resources at HMP Aylesbury.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 September 2023.
Action
Continue recruitment initiatives to fill vacancies in instructors, probation POMs and other key posts.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 September 2023.
Action
Provide priority recruitment-marketing support to HMP Aylesbury and improve staff engagement channels with the establishment.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 22 September 2023.
Action
Launch a national television and radio recruitment advertising campaign for HMPPS.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 September 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Staffing at HMP Aylesbury has notably improved, with only a small number of Band 3 officer vacancies, some involving staff undergoing training.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Mid Kent and Medway
Concerns raised1
Insufficient prison staffing levels
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.8
Action
Continue monitoring staffing levels and provide short-term tactical staffing support through overtime and detached-duty staff.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 July 2023.
Action
Introduce a colleague mentor scheme supporting staff new to the prison service during their early careers.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 July 2023.
Action
Support recruitment of Armed Forces veterans and their spouses into frontline roles through Advance into Justice.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 July 2023.
Action
Recruit new officers through the Prison Officer Futures scheme and deploy them temporarily to establishments with staffing vacancies.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 July 2023.
Action
Recruit officers nationally through the National First Time Officer scheme and deploy them to prisons experiencing recruitment difficulty with additional financial support.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 July 2023.
Action
Use locally targeted recruitment activity, including a Swaleside-specific recruitment landing page featuring frontline officer videos.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 July 2023.
Action
Deliver the 2023/24 pay award, including specified increases for operational support grades and prison officers.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 July 2023.
Action
Provide a market supplement for Band 3 officers working at HMP Swaleside to support recruitment and retention.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 July 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The cited staffing figures do not represent HMP Swaleside’s current or future staffing position because recruitment, retention and deployment actions are underway.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
County Durham and Darlington
Concerns raised1
Insufficient staffing for safe operation of the three-man unlock on SACU
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Provide additional SACU staffing resources above national benchmarking requirements.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Action
Conduct a SACU pilot evaluating operational processes and health support to inform a safe, integrated workforce model.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Action
Review contingency plans to incorporate incident learning and prompt consideration of regime levels and available resources during simultaneous incidents.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Current SACU staffing exceeds national benchmarks and existing management arrangements are considered sufficient, so staffing increases are not indicated.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Existing arrangements allow additional prison staff to assist with three-person unlocks, and resources are considered sufficient to respond effectively in future.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
Insufficient staffing levels for required prison operations
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Wiltshire and Swindon
Concerns raised2
Insufficient operational prison staffing for safe custody and officer safety
Failure to account for prisoner type when determining safe staffing levels
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Insufficient night staffing to enable staff comfort breaks
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Liaise with Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust and G4S regarding night staffing levels and additional overnight support.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 September 2014.
Action
Continue pursuing Commissioner funding for an additional Ward 2 staff member.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 September 2014.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing night staffing and break-cover arrangements are considered sufficient, with additional staff available for high ACCT numbers or continuous supervision.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
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Includes deficiencies in prison staffing establishment, benchmarks, deployment or coverage where they directly impair safe operation of the prison regime, welfare monitoring, emergency response or incident management, including pressure from changing prisoner cohorts, contraband or substance-related incidents.
