HMP Belmarsh Shows Glimmers of Improvement but Prisoners Still Locked Away Too Much
Inside Belmarsh: Britain’s Toughest Prison
HMP Belmarsh, tucked away in Thamesmead, southeast London, holds some of the UK’s most dangerous criminals. With around 700 inmates, this high-security prison is home to notorious names like:
- Axel Rudakubana – convicted triple murderer who used a crossbow
- Ali Harbi Ali – killer of MP David Amess
- Daniel Khalife – ex-soldier convicted of spying for Iran
- Jordan McSweeney – murderer of Zara Aleena
Inspection Finds ‘Commendable Progress’ but Major Issues Persist
A fresh inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) praises Belmarsh for improvements, especially in cleanliness and prisoner crisis care. The prison’s leadership gets top marks, described as “well-led” with solid commitment to fixing long-standing problems.
- Cleanliness: Issues like filthy cells and graffiti have been tackled head-on.
- Mental Health Care: The prison has made “impressive” strides in supporting inmates in crisis.
- Leadership: Senior staff show determination to improve outcomes despite the prison’s complexity.
“Belmarsh remained a well-led prison. Leaders at all levels were committed to improving outcomes for prisoners… in the context of managing a complex and high-risk establishment,” said Chief Inspector Charlie Taylor.
But Prisoners Are Still Locked Up Too Long
Despite progress, a glaring weakness remains: too few inmates take part in “purposeful activities” like education or work. Shockingly, only 28% of prisoners got involved in such programmes in 2024. Some prisoners barely get 90 minutes out of their cells daily – far below acceptable standards.
“Leaders had made some progress in purposeful activity, addressing allocations and teaching quality, but further improvements were still needed,” warned Taylor.
Recent Scandals Rock Belmarsh
- March 2025: A workshop officer was jailed for an inappropriate relationship with inmate Jordan McSweeney.
- May 2025: Police launched an investigation after Axel Rudakubana allegedly attacked a prison officer inside Belmarsh.
What’s Next for Belmarsh?
HMIP’s latest report acknowledges the tough job of managing one of Britain’s highest-security jails. But it’s clear there’s still a long road ahead to boost prisoner rehabilitation – offering more education, work, and family support. The fight to bring Belmarsh up to scratch continues under the Prison Performance Framework.
