Inmates at a prison in North Yorkshire have the opportunity to participate in Park Run, create cards and design mugs, as well as engage in “trauma” yoga, according to a new report. HMP Kirklevington Grange’s mission is to prepare prisoners for release through education, accommodation and enhancing their chances of securing employment upon reintegration into society.
The open category D jail, near the upmarket town of Yarm, which has a capacity of 207 inmates, operates with minimal security and allows eligible prisoners to spend most of their day away from the prison on licence for work, education or other resettlement purposes. A recent inspection by the Independent Monitoring Board commended the prison for the respectful attitude shared between staff and prisoners. Inspectors noted this mutual respect was evident in the calm atmosphere permeating the prison and the number of joint activities involving staff and prisoners.
During leisure time, prisoners are encouraged to try physical activities, and the report commends the “excellent facilities”, including a gym, fitness centre, five-a-side football facility, and outdoor playing field.
However, the board did point out areas for improvement, such as the lack of visible progress on the development of replacement accommodation units under the rapid deployment cell programme.
The living conditions at HMP Kirklevington Grange have been described as “basic and tired in places”, with the bathroom and shower facilities being rudimentary and the showers small.
Despite management’s best efforts, a bed-bug infestation persisted, contained to a few units and regularly attended to by a pest control team, but not fully resolved.
Work had begun on a garden area for prisoners over 50 to cultivate fruit and vegetables, but was stopped due to bad weather.
The report also mentions plans for improvements to other areas of the prison and the construction of a wildlife pond.
Life inside this open prison allows inmates to hold keys to their own rooms and access communal areas between 6.30am and 9.30pm.
Four roll checks are conducted daily, during which prisoners must be in their cells for counting if they are on site.
The prison has also witnessed a decline in violent incidents, with no reported prisoner-on-prisoner or prisoner-on-staff assaults in 2024.
