HM Prison Stoke Heath

HM Prison Stoke Heath is an adult male Category C prison and Young Offenders Institution, located in the village of Stoke Heath (near Market Drayton) in Shropshire, England. The prison is operated by His Majesty's Prison Service.

HMP Stoke Heath

Location	Stoke Heath, Shropshire
Security class	Adult Males/Young Offenders
Population	734 (as of July 2025)
Opened	1964
Managed by	HM Prison Services
Governor	Rachel James
Website	Stoke Heath at justice.gov.uk

History

Stoke Heath was built in 1964 as a Category C prison for adult males. It was converted to a Borstal 2 years later and, up until 2011, was used to hold Young Offenders. The establishment now houses prisoners over the age of 18.^[1]

During the weekend of 7-8 April 1990, a 24-hour rooftop protest by prisoners took place in apparent solidarity with the Strangeways Prison riot then going on in Manchester.^[2]

At the beginning of December 2004 the Howard League for Penal Reform accused Stoke Heath of abusing the human rights of young offenders. The Howard League’s main criticism was concerned with the use of strip cells by the staff of Stoke Heath.^[3]

In October 2006 four prison officers were injured in a riot involving more than 30 inmates at Stoke Heath. None of the inmates were injured during the disturbance.^[4]

In 2007 a spot inspection criticized Stoke Heath for failing to make improvements recommended in a 2005 inspection. The inspectorate recommended that the prison must refurbish its "unacceptably grubby" segregation unit and establish proper risk assessments for strip searches.^[5]

In 2013 Stoke Heath implemented the pepper course to help reintegrate offenders back into the community using the pepper principals.^{[clarification needed]}

The prison today

Stoke Heath houses male adults and Young Offenders of 18 years and above. Because of this, education and training for inmates is the main focus of the prison. Education and training courses are provided by The Manchester College. A variety of courses and vocational training placements are offered, most of which can lead to NVQ qualifications in related fields.

In addition, the prison's gym and sports department offer various physical education courses, as well as being available for recreational use. The prison also has a multi-faith chaplaincy.