Millsike’s Troubling Reality: A Cautionary Tale for Private Prisons

The UK’s newest prison, HMP Millsike, is struggling to live up to its promise as a model for rehabilitation and education. Built at a cost of £400m, the facility was intended to set a new standard for the industry. However, behind its gleaming walls, a chaotic atmosphere has taken hold.

Former workers describe a situation where staff were often left feeling unsafe, with some being asked to perform tasks well beyond their job descriptions. The Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) decision to recruit from non-traditional backgrounds, such as supermarkets and fast-food chains, has exacerbated the problem. While these individuals may bring transferable skills, they often lack the specialized training required for a prison environment.

The result is a patchwork of poorly equipped and inadequately trained staff struggling to manage complex situations. Units from the Operational Response and Resilience Unit (ORRU) were deployed seven times in nine months in 2025, with inmates on multiple occasions resorting to violent behavior. Some staff members were tasked with “bed-watching” vulnerable prisoners without proper training or support.

The MoJ’s decision to conceal staffing levels has added to the mystery surrounding Millsike’s operations. While private prisons are not required to publish this information, transparency would go a long way in addressing concerns about safety and security. The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for the prison has raised red flags, with its members feeling unsafe on the wings due to lax security measures.

A recent bomb scare only serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in this environment. Critics argue that Millsike was opened too early, before adequate staffing and resources were in place. This hasty rollout has left staff scrambling to cope with the demands of a complex prison environment. As one former worker noted, “They are trying, but at this moment in time, in my opinion, failing.”

Pia Sinha from the Prison Reform Trust concurs, stating that while some calls from prisoners about safety have been worrying, they are not unusual. However, as the trust continues to receive reports of inadequate facilities and understaffing, it becomes clear that Millsike is merely a symptom of a larger issue – one that highlights the need for more robust oversight and accountability in private prison operations.

The UK’s justice system must prioritize rehabilitation over profit and transparency over secrecy. The future of HMP Millsike remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: our prison policy must undergo a radical rethink. We can no longer afford to ignore the warning signs emanating from this troubled facility. The long-term impact of prioritizing profit over people will be disastrous if we fail to learn from Millsike’s mistakes and make necessary changes before it’s too late.