HM Prison Swinfen Hall

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HM Prison Swinfen Hall is a Category C prison for adult men and young offenders, located in Swinfen near Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It is run by HM Prison Service, with Laura Whitehurst serving as governor.

The prison has a capacity of 500 beds. In May 2009 its population was recorded at 624. It opened in February 1963 as a Borstal and became a long‑term young offenders institution in 1972.

In 2001 an inspection praised Swinfen Hall as a centre of excellence, noting that the needs of young prisoners were understood and addressed, and that anti‑bullying and offending‑behaviour programs were strong. A major building project began in 2004 to expand facilities due to rising numbers. In 2006 the prison was one of only five to receive the top level four ranking for high performance.

Swinfen Hall houses young offenders aged 18–28 who are serving 4 years to life, and also holds Category C prisoners serving over 4 years. The prison has nine wings with single‑cell accommodation. It is testing schemes related to the proposed abolition of detention in a YOI for under‑21s.

Education, skills training, and accredited courses in offending behaviour and substance abuse are used to help prisoners address needs and reduce reoffending. The prison works with national and local organizations, education providers, and businesses to support training and development for prisoners.

Inspectorate reports have been mixed. While release preparations are reasonably good, recent evaluations have described the regime as lacking purpose, with many prisoners unemployed or having few activities. Mandatory tests have shown around 45% of prisoners test positive for drugs.

In May 2025, the Prison Officers Association reported concerns that governors had lost control after a male officer was stabbed and two female officers were punched during disturbances. In December 2024, watchdog Charlie Taylor said the regime lacked purpose, with about a third of prisoners locked in their cells.