Hollesley Bay Prison

Tel: 01394 412400 – Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3JW

HMP Hollesley Bay, located in Woodbridge in Suffolk, first opened in 1938 as a borstal. When it originally opened, it established an extensive farm on the premises, which was used to provide employment for inmates. However, the farm was shut in 2006. It is a category D open prison, holding both male adults and young offenders; and has a capacity of 421. Over the years, it has come under considerable scrutiny for the large numbers of inmates who have escaped. For directions to HMP Hollesley Bay, refer to the map on this page.

Tel: 01394 412400

Operational capacity: 421

Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3JW

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Here’s some facts about Hollesley Bay Prison

HMP Hollesley Bay is a category D prison and young offenders institution near Woodbridge, Suffolk. Opened as a prison in 1938, the prison has capacity to hold 434 male prisoners.

There are seven residential units across an 85-acre site. Hoxon consists of mainly single rooms; two of the four landings accommodate the induction unit. Samforde is a small unit reserved for older men. Blything, Cosford, Stow and Wilford consist of mainly single rooms, each with two or three double rooms. Bosmere is a pre-existing building with single rooms.

In February 2016, 8 prisoners had escaped from HMP Hollesley, of which 3 absconded in that January.

Jonathon McCarthy was recaptured after four years at large in June 2017. He was arrested at Hollesley Bay in 2013 for burglary. McCarthy was arrested in Wales on June 5. He received a 30-day prison sentence once captured.

To view the latest HMIP inspection report, click here.

Visiting hours are 14:00 to 15:45 on Saturdays and Sundays only.

More Facts

FACT 1

HMP Hollesley Bay is often nicknamed ‘Holiday Bay’, due to its perceived laid-back attitude and large numbers of escaped prisoners.

FACT 2

The units in HMP Hollesley Bay are called Bosmere, Cosforde, Hoxon, Samforde, Stow, Blything and Wilforde. These are all old English names for places in Suffolk.