Acklington Prison opened in 1972, and was soon branded a holiday camp by the local media due to lax security and comfortable conditions for inmates.

A review of security was undertaken in 1990 after a spate of escapes, including one in which a jogger trotted away from a supervised group and scaled the fence.

[1][failed verification] Acklington came in for further criticism in September 2002 when prefabs were constructed at the prison to house inmates due to overcrowding.

[1] A month later staff passed a vote of no confidence in governor Peter Atkinson, citing safety concerns over job cuts at the prison.

Education and vocational courses at the prison include: Woodwork; Tailoring and Textiles; Industrial workshops; Engineering workshops; Painting and Decorating; Bricklaying; Amenity Gardening; Market Gardening; Laundry; Physical Education; Waste Management and Catering, all of which include accredited qualifications.