MoJ prison leasing scandal costs £100m taxpayers

Published: 07 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The MoJ prison leasing scandal has emerged as one of the most costly administrative failures in recent years, raising serious concerns about governance, transparency, and public safety. A parliamentary watchdog has concluded that a ten-year leasing decision involving HMP Dartmoor, taken amid pressure on prison capacity, will cost UK taxpayers more than £100 million while providing no operational benefit. This case has reignited debate about accountability within the justice system and the long-term consequences of rushed policymaking.

The scandal centres on a 2022 agreement to lease HMP Dartmoor from the Duchy of Cornwall. At the time, senior officials faced intense pressure to secure additional prison places as overcrowding reached critical levels. According to the Public Accounts Committee, the lease was signed before essential safety checks were completed, despite previous indications of high radon gas levels at the site. These warnings, the committee noted, were not addressed properly, reflecting a failure of due diligence.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colourless and odourless, making detection difficult without consistent monitoring. Health authorities estimate that radon exposure contributes to about 1,100 lung cancer deaths annually in the UK. At HMP Dartmoor, further testing revealed radon concentrations in some areas reaching ten times the recommended safety limit. These findings ultimately forced the prison’s closure in 2024, rendering the leased facility unusable while costs continued to rise.

The Public Accounts Committee described the Ministry’s approach as panic-driven decision making. Its report highlighted that officials did not negotiate a good deal and signed the lease before completing further radon assessments. The MoJ prison leasing scandal illustrates how urgent operational pressures can override standard safety protocols and financial prudence.

Under the lease terms, the Ministry cannot terminate the agreement until at least December 2033. Consequently, the government currently pays roughly £4 million annually in rent, business rates, and security for a prison that cannot house inmates. Additional costs for building improvements are estimated at £68 million, pushing the total projected cost to over £100 million.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Conservative chair of the Public Accounts Committee, condemned the handling of HMP Dartmoor as an “absolute disgrace from top to bottom.” He emphasised that the leasing of a facility known to be dangerous demonstrates how panic can replace proper oversight. The committee’s report firmly rejects the argument that urgent prison needs justified bypassing safety and financial checks.

The Category C prison previously held numerous sex offenders. Its closure required relocating 682 inmates, a complex operation that placed further strain on an already overcrowded prison system. Staff had been monitoring radon levels since 2010, yet the last prisoners and staff did not leave until July 2024. This delay has prompted scrutiny over whether earlier action could have mitigated health risks.

In parliamentary responses, the Ministry acknowledged elevated radon readings in 2020, though media reports suggest concerning levels were noted as early as 2007. Legal action has followed, with over 500 former inmates and prison officers claiming their health was compromised. These claims compound both the financial and reputational consequences of the MoJ prison leasing scandal.

HMP Dartmoor is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, which provides private income for Prince William. While there is no suggestion of misconduct by the Duchy, public attention has focused on transparency in dealings between government and private landowners, highlighting the need for rigorous oversight. The Health and Safety Executive began an investigation in 2023, which remains ongoing, influencing future safety standards across the prison estate.

Senior officials have defended the original decision, citing urgent capacity pressures at the time. Ministry permanent secretary Jo Farrar told MPs that Dartmoor offered over 600 prison spaces when the system risked collapse, framing the lease as a pragmatic emergency measure. Nonetheless, the Public Accounts Committee insisted that urgency cannot justify ignoring safety risks or committing to long-term costs without full information.

The Dartmoor case now shapes broader discussions about public estate management. Experts warn that similar risks exist across ageing infrastructure, particularly where environmental hazards intersect with urgent operational needs. The MoJ prison leasing scandal serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating that decisions made under pressure can have lasting financial and social repercussions.

As Parliament awaits a formal government response, the focus remains on lessons learned, accountability, and potential reforms. The Dartmoor lease stands as a reminder that mistakes in public management can reverberate for decades, with both human and financial consequences.

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