An Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report has revealed that HMP Millsike, a new prison in Yorkshire, was not adequately prepared when it opened in April 2025. The report criticized the facility for being "unready, understaffed, and unsafe," citing issues such as the failure to follow basic safety procedures like counting prisoners and securing cell doors. These problems were attributed to a lack of experience among staff and insufficient time for preparation before the prison's opening. Despite the facility's official opening, more than 300 of its cells remain unoccupied. This is due in part to a severe shortage of prison officers, compounded by difficulties in recruiting staff for the prison’s remote location. The lack of personnel has raised concerns about the ability of HMP Millsike to operate effectively and safely, even as it continues to expand. In an effort to address these challenges, an interim director was appointed in February 2026. This individual took steps to improve conditions by temporarily halting the intake of new prisoners. However, inspectors from the IMB have warned that opening new wings of the prison should not proceed without ensuring that sufficient staff are in place to manage the increased capacity. The operator of HMP Millsike, Mitie, has disputed the IMB's findings, rejecting the description of the prison's opening conditions as "unready, understaffed, and unsafe." Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Alex Norris has announced a funding commitment of £110 million to create additional prison capacity across the UK. This investment aims to address broader issues in the prison system, including overcrowding and staffing shortages.