Understanding Prison Categories in the UK
When someone is first sentenced or remanded into custody, one of the most significant factors affecting their daily life is their security classification. The **prison categories UK** system is designed to manage risk, ensuring that individuals are held in an environment that matches the perceived threat they pose to the public, the police, or national security. It is a system that can feel opaque from the outside, but understanding how it works is vital for both prisoners and their families.
In the UK, adult male prisoners are assigned one of four categories: A, B, C, or D. Women and young offenders are categorized differently, which we will touch upon later. The category an individual is assigned determines everything from the amount of time they spend behind their cell door to the types of visits they can receive and their eligibility for work or education.
Starting your journey in the system often feels like a whirlwind. If you are looking for a broader overview of what to expect on day one, you may want to read our guide on what's prison like.
The Categorisation Process
Every prisoner is individual. Upon entering the system, usually at a local 'core' prison (like HMP Pentonville, HMP Wandsworth, or HMP Altcourse), a prisoner will undergo a Basic Custody Screening. This takes into account several factors:
In most cases, the initial categorisation happens within the first few days or weeks. It's worth noting that this isn't a permanent label. Categories are reviewed at regular intervals—usually every six to twelve months—depending on the length of the sentence and the prisoner's behaviour.
Category A: High Security
Category A is the highest security level in the UK. These are prisoners whose escape would be highly dangerous to the public or the police or the security of the State.
Life in Category A
Category A prisons (often referred to as 'Dispersals') are highly controlled environments. Security is incredibly tight, featuring high walls, extensive CCTV, and a high staff-to-prisoner ratio. Examples include HMP Belmarsh, HMP Frankland, and HMP Long Lartin.
Movement within the prison is strictly monitored. You'll often find that prisoners are escorted between wings or to healthcare. For those on the 'High Security Estate', the day-to-day routine is rigid. Access to personal belongings is more restricted than in lower categories, and the vetting process for visitors is significantly more stringent. Families wishing to visit someone in Category A must often go through an enhanced approval process, which can take several weeks. To prepare for this, you should check out our article on how to book a prison visit.
Escape Risks and 'E-List'
Prisoners who are considered a specific risk for escape may be placed on the 'E-List' (Escape List). These individuals are required to wear high-visibility clothing (often yellow and blue) and their cells are checked more frequently. Their clothes are usually kept outside the cell at night to prevent them from preparing for an escape under the cover of darkness.
Category B: Local and Training Prisons
Category B is the default starting point for many long-term prisoners and those on remand. These prisoners do not require the maximum security of Category A but still pose a significant risk if they were to escape.
The Two Types of Category B
You will generally encounter two types of Category B establishments:
In a Category B setting, the walls are still high and the security is perimeter-focused. However, internal movement is usually slightly more relaxed than in Category A. Prisoners may be allowed more time out of their cells for work or 'association' (socialising).
Category C: Training and Resettlement
Category C is where the vast majority of the UK's prison population resides. These are individuals who cannot be trusted in open conditions but who are unlikely to make any determined attempt at escape.
Transitioning to Category C
Moving from Category B to Category C is often seen as a major milestone. It signals that the prison service views the individual as lower risk. Education and employment are the primary focuses here. The goal of a Category C prison is to prepare the inmate for eventual release or for a move to an open prison (Category D).
Living conditions in Category C can vary wildly. Some prisons, like HMP Berwyn, are relatively modern with better facilities, while others remain more austere. In most cases, prisoners have more freedom to move between the wing and their place of work or education without constant direct supervision.
Communication with the outside world becomes even more critical at this stage. If you are supporting someone in a Category C estate, you might be interested in our breakdown of how much prison calls cost, as maintaining these bonds is proven to reduce reoffending.
Category D: Open Prisons
Category D establishments are 'open' prisons. They are for prisoners who have been risk-assessed as low enough to be trusted in an environment with minimal security. There are no high walls or armed guards here. In fact, many Category D prisons look more like a university campus or an old RAF base than a traditional jail.
ROTL (Release on Temporary Licence)
The defining feature of Category D is the opportunity for ROTL. This allows prisoners to leave the prison for set periods to:
This is a critical stage for resettlement. If a prisoner fails to return on time or breaches the conditions of their ROTL, they are 'shipped out'—returned immediately to a closed prison (usually Category B or C) and their security category is upgraded.
It is important to remember that Category D is a privilege, not a right. Many prisoners must complete specific rehabilitative programmes before they are even considered for 'open' conditions. Detailed information on prison locations and types can be found on the GOV.UK find a prisoner page.
Women and Young Offenders
The categorisation system for women (the female estate) and children/young people is different from the male system.
The Female Estate
Women are not given alphabetical categories in the same way. Instead, they are classified as either **Restricted Status** (the equivalent of Category A) or **Closed** and **Open**. Because there are far fewer women's prisons in the UK, women are often held much further away from home than men, making prison visits more difficult for their families.
Young Offenders (under 18s and 18-21s)
Young people are held in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs). Their categorisation is based on a risk assessment similar to the adult male estate but with a much heavier emphasis on safeguarding and educational needs. The focus is almost entirely on 'resettlement' and preventing the transition into the adult prison system.
How Categorisation Affects Daily Life
Work and Pay
In higher security prisons (A and B), work options might be limited to simple tasks like laundry, cleaning, or basic workshops (e.g., assembling plastic components). In Category C and D, the options expand significantly. You might find workshops for carpentry, engineering, or even barista training and industrial kitchens.
Pay in prison is notoriously low, often ranging from £10 to £25 per week. This money is used for 'canteen' (the prison shop), where inmates can buy toiletries, snacks, and phone credits. Families can help by sending money to a prisoner through the official government portal.
Movement and 'Bang Up'
The term 'bang up' refers to when prisoners are locked in their cells. In a Category B local prison, a prisoner might be locked up for 22 or 23 hours a day if the prison is short-staffed. In a Category D prison, the doors are often left unlocked during the day, and prisoners may even have keys to their own rooms (depending on the specific establishment's rules).
Phone Calls and Communication
In recent years, the Ministry of Justice has rolled out 'in-cell telephony' across much of the estate. While prisoners cannot receive incoming calls, they can make outgoing calls to pre-approved numbers. In higher categories, these calls are monitored and recorded. In Category D, the restrictions are slightly more relaxed, reflecting the trust-based nature of the environment.
The Review Process: Moving Down the Categories
Moving down a category is the goal for almost everyone in the system. This process is known as a 're-cat'. To be successful in a category review, a prisoner generally needs to demonstrate:
It is not uncommon for a 're-cat' to be denied the first time. The Prison Service is naturally cautious. However, if a prisoner is denied a lower category, the board must provide written reasons, which the prisoner can then appeal or address before their next review.
Security Categories and Your Rights
While the Prison Service has a legal right to categorise prisoners based on risk, inmates do have rights regarding the process. Decisions must be 'lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair'. If a prisoner feels they have been unfairly categorised—for example, if a Category A classification is maintained without sufficient evidence of current risk—they can challenge this through the prison's internal grievance system or, in some cases, via a Judicial Review.
Independent bodies like the **Prisoners' Advice Service (PAS)** or the **Howard League for Penal Reform** often provide legal guidance for those navigating these complex administrative hurdles.
Practical Tips for Families
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Can a prisoner be moved back up a category?
Yes. This is common if an inmate is involved in a serious incident, such as violence, possession of contraband (like drugs or a mobile phone), or an escape attempt. Moving from a Category D back to a Category C or B is often called being 'shipped out'.
How long does it take to get to Category D?
There is no set timeframe. It depends on the length of the sentence. Generally, a prisoner must be within a few years of their release date and have completed their 'sentence plan' (required courses) before they are considered for open conditions.
Do Category A prisoners ever get released?
Yes, but the process is different. Most Category A prisoners are serving long or life sentences. They must first be downgraded to Category B and then Category C before they are usually considered for parole. It is very rare for someone to be released directly from a High Security prison.
Are there 'Category B' open prisons?
No. Only Category D prisons are 'open'. Categories A, B, and C are all considered 'closed' conditions, meaning the perimeter is secure and prisoners cannot leave without an escort.
Can I find out what category someone is in?
Due to data protection (GDPR), the Prison Service will not usually tell you a prisoner's security category over the phone. You would need to ask the prisoner themselves during a call or visit. However, the type of prison they are in usually gives it away (e.g., if they are in HMP Leyhill, they are Category D).
Does the category affect what I can send in?
Indirectly, yes. Every prison has its own 'Facilities List' which dictates what items a prisoner can have. Generally, the lower the security category, the more personal items (like certain clothes or electronics) a prisoner is allowed to have in their cell.
Final Thoughts on Navigating the System
The UK prison categories system is not just a security measure; it is a roadmap for a prisoner's journey through the justice system. While being in a Category B local prison can be a jarring and difficult experience, the progression to Category C and eventually Category D offers a path toward rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.
For families, the most important thing you can do is stay informed. Knowing the rules of the specific category your loved one is in will make the process of supporting them much smoother. Whether it's the strict vetting of Category A or the work-release opportunities of Category D, each stage requires a different approach to maintain your connection and prepare for the future.