Watchdog Highlights Surge in Violence at Gartree Prison

Serious concerns have been raised about safety and conditions at Gartree Prison, with a watchdog warning of rising violence, self-harm and drug use.

The findings are contained in the latest annual report from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), which oversees conditions at the Category B prison near Market Harborough.

The report says prisoners increasingly feel unsafe, with a growing gang culture emerging following an influx of younger inmates. It also highlights the continued flow of drugs and mobile phones into the prison – many believed to be delivered by drones – which it says is fuelling debt, bullying and violence.

Gartree Prison Pic: Andy Carpenter

During the reporting period from December 2024 to November 2025, there were 68 prisoner-on-staff assaults and 71 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults. Overall levels of violence increased by 35 per cent and police referrals rose four-fold, from 31 to 130. Referrals included assaults and prisoners being found in possession of illicit items such as drugs, mobile phones and weapons.

The report also found a significant rise in self-harm, with incidents increasing from an average of 21 a month to 46 a month. The use of force by staff increased by 21 per cent, while more prisoners required support through violence reduction and suicide prevention programmes.

Steve Martin, chair of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Gartree, said the report paints a worrying picture of increasing pressures on the prison:

Gartree Prison

The IMB recorded 10 deaths in custody during the year – six believed to be from natural causes, three apparently drug-related and one apparent suicide.

Concerns were also raised about healthcare provision, particularly mental health services, ageing buildings and infrastructure, support for older and disabled prisoners, reductions in education provision and limited access to rehabilitation activities.

Despite the challenges, the report praises prison staff for their commitment and professionalism in difficult circumstances.

Long-standing concerns about the prison’s ageing infrastructure also remain, with issues including heating problems, leaking roofs and poor shower facilities continuing to affect daily life.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “While we are seeing positive improvements across the wider estate, we are aware HMP Gartree is a prison operating under immense pressure after this Government inherited a system at the peak of its crisis.

“We are working hard to improve prisoners’ safety by clamping down on illicit items through X-ray body scanners, increasing access to education, and investing up to £300 million in prison and probation service maintenance this year.”