HMP Bullingdon, the Category B men’s prison near Bicester in Oxfordshire, is currently undergoing a significant expansion that will add 247 new prison places and increase its total capacity to more than 1,300 prisoners. The expansion, being delivered by construction firm Kier as part of the Government’s Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme, broke ground in August 2024 and has drawn renewed attention to the prison at a time when independent inspectors have raised serious concerns about safety, overcrowding, and staffing.
HMP Bullingdon Expansion: What Is Being Built?
Construction began at HMP Bullingdon on 30 August 2024, when Kier Group held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of work on a new residential houseblock at the site. The new building is a four-storey, X-shaped structure — referred to as a T60 houseblock — which will add 247 additional prison places when complete, bringing the prison’s total capacity to over 1,300.
The houseblock is being built using Modern Methods of Construction, meaning components are manufactured off-site and assembled at the prison. This approach is intended to reduce construction time and cost compared to traditional building methods. The new block is fully electric and has been designed to support the Ministry of Justice’s commitments on carbon reduction and energy efficiency.
Alongside the new houseblock, Kier is also constructing a workshop and a programmes building at the site. These additional facilities are intended to support rehabilitation — giving prisoners the skills and structured activities that research consistently links to lower reoffending rates after release.
The Bullingdon expansion is part of a broader national programme. Kier was awarded the Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme contract in June 2022 alongside fellow contractor Wates, with Kier taking responsibility for expansion work at HMPs Bullingdon, Channings Wood and Elmley.
2025 Inspection Findings: Drugs, Violence and Overcrowding
The expansion of HMP Bullingdon comes at a time when the prison has been subject to sharp criticism from HM Inspectorate of Prisons. An unannounced inspection carried out between 28 July and 7 August 2025 produced a highly critical report, identifying a number of serious concerns about the prison’s safety and effectiveness.
Inspectors found that inadequate security meant illicit drugs were entering the prison in significant quantities. Drug availability inside the prison was driving debt between prisoners and contributing to elevated levels of violence. Prisoners were spending too long locked in their cells, and inspectors identified weaknesses in the management of prisoners who posed risks to the public. Relationships between staff and prisoners were described as poor.
The report painted a picture of a prison under considerable pressure — one where the basic building blocks of a safe and decent environment were not consistently in place. These findings are particularly significant in the context of the planned expansion: adding 247 more prisoners to an already stretched regime raises legitimate questions about whether existing problems will be worsened before they are resolved.
Independent Monitoring Board Concerns
The HMP Bullingdon Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) published its annual report in November 2025, covering the period to that point. The IMB — a body of independent volunteers with unrestricted access to the prison — flagged that officer shortages and inexperienced staff remained significant and ongoing concerns at the establishment.
The board noted that of approximately 11,645 planned keywork sessions — structured one-to-one meetings between prisoners and their assigned officer — fewer than half actually took place, due to a lack of available staff. Keywork is a cornerstone of the current prison model in England and Wales, intended to provide prisoners with personalised support and to identify risk factors early. When sessions fail to happen at this scale, it represents a significant gap in the care prisoners receive.
Overcrowding was also highlighted. Approximately 23% of cells at HMP Bullingdon, which were designed for single occupancy, were being used to hold two prisoners at the time of reporting. This level of cell sharing has a well-documented negative impact on prisoner wellbeing, sleep quality, and safety.
About HMP Bullingdon
HMP Bullingdon opened in 1992 and is classified as a Category B local men’s prison. It is located at Bicester in Oxfordshire and currently has a certified normal accommodation of around 1,100 places. The prison primarily holds adult male prisoners from courts across the Thames Valley area, including both remand prisoners awaiting trial and those serving sentences.
The prison operates across several blocks arranged in a T-shape design, with three spurs and multiple landings meeting at a central complex. Its rating in independent surveys of prisoner experiences has historically been among the lower end of the national spectrum, reflecting the pressures that have built up over years of chronic overcrowding and staffing difficulties.
When the current expansion is complete, HMP Bullingdon will be able to hold more than 1,300 prisoners — a significant increase that will place further demands on infrastructure, staffing, and management.
Information for Families of Prisoners at Bullingdon
If you have a family member or friend held at HMP Bullingdon, there are a number of practical steps you can take to stay in contact and provide support. Our detailed guide to Bullingdon Prison covers visiting times, contact details, and how to book a visit. You can also find out how to send money to a prisoner at Bullingdon and other prisons across England and Wales.
If your loved one is approaching the end of their sentence, understanding the release process is important. Our guide to the Parole Board UK explains how parole hearings work and what prisoners and families can expect during the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HMP Bullingdon being expanded?
Yes. Construction of a new four-storey houseblock at HMP Bullingdon began in August 2024, with the project being delivered by Kier Group. The new block will add 247 prison places, increasing the prison’s total capacity to over 1,300. It forms part of the Government’s Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme.
What did inspectors find at HMP Bullingdon in 2025?
An unannounced inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons in July and August 2025 found that inadequate security was allowing illicit drugs into the prison, driving debt and violence. Prisoners were spending too much time locked in their cells, staff-prisoner relationships were poor, and there were weaknesses in managing prisoners who posed risks to the public.
How overcrowded is HMP Bullingdon?
As of the Independent Monitoring Board report published in November 2025, approximately 23% of cells at HMP Bullingdon that were designed for single occupancy were being used to hold two prisoners. This is a significant and well-documented problem at the establishment that has persisted for a number of years.
Where is HMP Bullingdon located?
HMP Bullingdon is located near Bicester in Oxfordshire, England. It is a Category B men’s prison that opened in 1992 and primarily serves courts across the Thames Valley area, holding both remand prisoners and sentenced adult males.
How do I visit someone at HMP Bullingdon?
To visit a prisoner at HMP Bullingdon, you need to be on the prisoner’s approved visitor list. You can book a visit by calling the prison’s visit booking line on 01869 353176, or online via the Government’s prison visit booking service at gov.uk. The first visit must be booked by telephone, after which subsequent visits can be arranged online.
