Ex-workers describe 'chaotic atmosphere' at new £400m prison

The UK's newest prison, HMP Millsike, has been plagued by a "chaotic atmosphere" in its initial 18 months, according to former staff members speaking to the BBC. Opened in March 2025 with a capacity for 1,500 inmates and a cost of approximately £400 million, the category C prison in East Yorkshire was initially lauded by the government as setting "the standard for the future."

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chaotic atmosphere

However, former employees have detailed significant issues, including chronic understaffing and insufficient training for personnel. These shortcomings have reportedly necessitated the repeated intervention of specialist prison units to manage serious incidents within the facility. Some staff members expressed feeling unsafe due to these conditions, with several noting that some colleagues lacked prior experience in the prison sector, having backgrounds in retail or fast-food industries.

Mitie, the private company managing HMP Millsike, stated that safety is its "highest priority" and that its operations align with plans agreed upon with the Ministry of Justice. While the Ministry of Justice indicated that operational staff undergo over eight weeks of training, including shadowing in other prisons, the BBC understands that recruitment challenges persist. An interim prison director reportedly acknowledged recruitment difficulties, noting that a high percentage of employees had no prior prison experience.

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lost it

HMP Millsike is the first of four new jails intended to create 14,000 prison places by 2031. Despite its ambitious goals and significant investment, the prison has faced several reported problems since opening. These include a disturbance in November 2025 requiring an elite squad's intervention, a sewage system failure in the same month, and the conviction of a prison officer for a relationship with an inmate in June 2026.

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safety was its "highest priority" and it was "operating in line with plans agreed with the Ministry of Justice".