Prisoners at HMP Holme House in Stockton face freezing conditions as relative speaks out about heating crisis
Emily Gray Community Reporter
19:16, 08 Feb 2026Updated 19:50, 08 Feb 2026
HMP Holme House, in Stockton(Image: Terry Blackburn)
Inmates at a Stockton prison have been without hot water and heating for several days, with repairs potentially taking up to four weeks to complete.
A relative of a prisoner at HMP Holme House in Stockton, which holds approximately 1,200 inmates, has spoken to ChronicleLive about the freezing conditions affecting those inside.
The Ministry of Justice has stated that repairs are being carried out “promptly”, and that alternative measures are being considered to maintain safety at the facility until the issue is resolved.
The woman said: “My brother is in Holme House Prison and all the prisoners have been left with no hot water or heating and they’re saying its going to last for for weeks.
“Then today again my brother’s rang my mam to say that all he’s had for his dinner is a slice of turkey because there’s no gas or anything to cook food.”
The woman, who says the situation began three days ago, claimed the prison has told her and her mother “It can’t be helped,” explaining: “They said it’s going to take four weeks for someone to come out and do the gas work.”, reports Chronicle Live.
She added: “If that was to happen to a child at home the mam would be charged with neglect. Just because they’re in jail, they’re still humans at the end of the day.
“You can’t be expected to get washed in cold water. They can’t do anything about the water so they’re having to have cold showers.”
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that heating repairs are being carried out “promptly” and that inmates have been supplied with extra clothing and blankets. Additionally, 50 blow heaters have been installed throughout the facility.
The woman says the small blow heaters positioned at the end of landings are inadequate for warming the cells.
“With the heaters they’ve got little heaters but it’s doing nothing. Obviously it’s a big jail, it’s not as if you can get curtains or anything up to keep the warmth in.
“They’re just serving them cold food like sandwiches but again how can you be expected to live on sandwiches?”.
She expresses further concern about the freezing temperatures: “It’s cold for us even in the house with the heating on so I can’t imagine for them.”
While her brother has a dressing gown, another relative she knows inside the prison “has nothing to keep him warm.”
She went on: “My brothers had to give him a pair of pyjamas. I know he’s used his clothes parcel but I asked with the conditions being how they are could there be an exception of me taking a pair of pyjamas and a dressing gown in and they’ve said no which I think is absolutely disgusting.”
She said prisoners are typically allowed a clothes parcel every six months. She added: “With them being in jail you’re not allowed thick blankets like we do at home, it’s a thin blanket.
“My brother’s freezing. He suffered from pneumonia as a baby so he can get really poorly easily now. They’ve been on the phone and they’re all ill.”
A representative for the Ministry of Justice stated: “The heating is being repaired promptly. Additional clothing and blankets have been provided to prisoners, and 50 blow heaters have been installed across the site.
“Hot meals continue to be served to prisoners. Other options are being explored to ensure the continued operation of the facility is safe for prisoners and staff until the problem is resolved.”
For the latest Teesside news direct to your inbox every day, sign up to our free newsletter