Headline: Prison HMP Millsike Was ‘Unready, Understaffed and Unsafe’ When Opened

Date: 3 September 2026

Tags: UK, Prisons, Justice, Public Services

Summary:

• An independent report found HMP Millsike was “unready, understaffed and unsafe” when it opened last year.

• The £400m Category C prison in East Yorkshire was designed to accommodate approximately 1,500 prisoners.

• Inspectors said inexperienced and insufficient staff contributed to chaotic operations and safety problems.

• Basic procedures involving keys, locking doors and counting prisoners were not properly established initially.

• The prison’s remote location reportedly made recruiting sufficient staff more difficult.

• Inspectors identified design problems including officer blind spots, inadequate reception space and insufficient ventilation.

• The report said prisoners experienced frequent restrictions to normal prison activities because of staffing and operational problems.

• Inspectors criticised prison authorities for accepting poor conditions while the new facility became established.

• Improvements have been reported since an interim prison director was appointed in February.

• Operator Mitie disputed the report’s description of opening conditions but acknowledged continuing work to improve the prison.

Why this matters: Staffing and operational failures at a major new prison could affect prisoner safety, rehabilitation and the wider prison system.

What’s next: Mitie and prison authorities will continue addressing staffing and operational problems while the independent board monitors conditions.