A Visit to HMP Bullingdon

Today, I had the opportunity to visit HMP Bullingdon, a large, complex men's prison near Bicester. Built just over thirty years ago, it is currently undergoing expansion with the construction of a new wing. It houses a diverse and often transient population: many residents are on remand or in the midst of transitions within the secure estate, creating an atmosphere that feels, paradoxically, both settled and unsettled. There’s little sense of permanence, and yet extraordinary human relationships hold the place together.

I was joined on the visit by Sean, the High Sheriff of Berkshire, my Chaplain Anne, and Mark. We were warmly welcomed and generously given time and insight by staff and residents alike.

What struck me most was the sheer scale of the environment and the remarkable strength of the people who live and work within it. The staff are truly exceptional. Each one seems to play multiple roles: teacher, social worker, organiser, parent, protector, and advocate. In a system under pressure, they carry enormous responsibility with quiet professionalism and care.

There’s a strong sense of mutual respect between staff and residents, not something often conveyed in media portrayals of prisons. One example: the staff quiet room, a small sanctuary created entirely by officers themselves. Soft furnishings, calming colours, and donated comforts stand in stark contrast to the hard floors and clanging noise just outside its door. It’s a vital space, a recognition that supporting others requires spaces to recover oneself.

During our visit, we toured the wings and saw individual cells, often made as neat and orderly as possible by their occupants. One man spoke movingly of how important it was to him to maintain structure and tidiness in his space, as a way to restore a sense of control and stability in a life otherwise marked by chaos.

The prison also serves as a hub for other institutions, with an enormous laundry facility cleaning clothes and linen for several prisons across the region, and a vast warehouse stocking and distributing canteen essentials for others in the estate.

I was especially impressed by the education facilities. I was privileged to sit in on a lesson in business administration, a group of learners deep in discussion about setting up their own enterprises on release. It was focused, hopeful, and inspiring. The prison’s library, run in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, is well stocked and welcoming. Several residents volunteer there, and some also support their fellow inmates in learning to read.

On the admissions wing, I spoke with a Listener, a resident trained by the Samaritans to support others at moments of acute vulnerability. His calmness and compassion were palpable. I also met members of the Helping team, residents who volunteer to assist others on their wings with practical tasks they may find difficult or daunting.

The only time I felt faintly intimidated was when we were joined on a wing by a group of men returning from the gym. But frankly, I think I’d find a group of people who’d just been working out hard and were eager to get showered and changed pretty intimidating anywhere.

I left with a strange mixture of feelings. Frustration, that so many people are locked away from society in such numbers. But also profound respect, for the dedicated professionals who show up every day to create the possibility of something better. In a system that can so easily grind people down, I saw glimpses of dignity, compassion, and quiet resilience.