A BBC investigation reveals severe staffing shortages and safety concerns at the UK's newest prison, HMP Millsike, despite government claims that it would set a new standard for rehabilitation.
- Former staff describe a 'chaotic atmosphere' with severe under-staffing and inadequate training.
- Elite prison squads (ORRU) were deployed seven times in nine months during 2025.
- Reports include safety breaches, an officer's conviction for an inmate relationship, and a bomb squad call-out.
- The £400m facility was intended to lead the way in rehabilitation but faces operational crises.
The UK's newest correctional facility, HMP Millsike in East Yorkshire, is under intense scrutiny following a BBC investigation. Opened in March 2025 with a budget of approximately £400 million, the prison was lauded by the government as a blueprint for the future of the penal system. However, former employees describe a starkly different reality characterized by a "chaotic atmosphere," systemic under-staffing, and a pervasive sense of insecurity.
The facility, managed by the private company Mitie, was designed to hold 1,500 inmates with a heavy emphasis on education and rehabilitation. Yet, current data from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) shows it holds around 1,100 inmates, while staffing levels remain a point of contention. Former workers claim that some staff members were recruited from backgrounds in fast-food chains and supermarkets, lacking the necessary experience to handle high-risk environments.
Operational Failures and Safety Risks
The investigation highlights a series of alarming incidents. In November 2025, a prisoner's violent outburst resulted in the destruction of six windows, requiring the intervention of the Operational Response and Resilience Unit (ORRU). Freedom of Information requests reveal that this elite squad was called to Millsike seven times in just nine months during 2025, a frequency that rivals other privately run Category C prisons.
Furthermore, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) raised red flags in January this year, noting that members felt unsafe on the wings and frequently found doors and gates left open. This security lapse coincided with the replacement of the prison's director, Samantha Pariser, in February.
The disconnect between the government's 'gold standard' rhetoric and the operational reality at HMP Millsike suggests a rushed opening that prioritized capacity over capability.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the reliance on private contractors like Mitie for critical infrastructure creates a transparency gap. Because private prisons are not required to publish staffing data, the public and the government remain blind to the actual ratios of officers to inmates, potentially compromising both staff safety and inmate rehabilitation.
The human cost is evident in testimonies like that of Steve Richardson, a former maintenance worker who described being forced into 'bed-watching' vulnerable prisoners without training and being assaulted with bodily fluids. Such incidents underscore a dangerous blurring of roles within the facility.
| Prison Facility | ORRU Call-outs (Specified Period) | Management Type |
|---|---|---|
| HMP Millsike | 7 | Private (Mitie) |
| Oakwood | 8 | Private |
| Fosse Way | 3 | Private |
| Northumberland | 3 | Private |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who manages HMP Millsike?
The prison is managed by Mitie, a private company, under a contract with the Ministry of Justice.
Q2: What is the ORRU?
The Operational Response and Resilience Unit (ORRU) is an elite specialist prison squad, including dog units, called in to handle the most serious high-risk incidents.
