Home / Crime and Justice / New Prison Plagued by Chaos, Staffing Crisis
New Prison Plagued by Chaos, Staffing Crisis
18 Aug
Summary
- Former staff describe chaotic atmosphere in the prison's first 18 months.
- Issues include understaffing, inadequate training, and serious incident responses.
- Elite prison squads were called to incidents multiple times.
HMP Millsike, a new £400m prison in East Yorkshire opened in March 2025, has been described as having a "chaotic atmosphere" by former staff in its initial 18 months of operation. Despite being lauded by the government as a model for future correctional facilities, reports indicate persistent under-staffing and insufficient training for personnel. This has led to specialist units being deployed to handle serious incidents on numerous occasions.
Concerns include reports of disturbances, a breakdown in a sewage system in November 2025, and a former officer's conviction for a relationship with an inmate. Seven former employees told the BBC of staffing shortages, with four feeling unsafe. Some staff allegedly lacked prior experience in the prison sector, coming from retail backgrounds.
Elite response units were called to Millsike seven times between March and December 2025. The prison, intended to house 1,500 inmates and focus on rehabilitation, currently holds about 1,100. The Independent Monitoring Board also raised safety concerns in January 2026, noting open gates and doors, with members feeling unsafe during visits.
