Castington Prison was the most northerly Young Offenders Institution in England, and was built on the site of the former RAF Acklington airfield.

[1] Castington was involved in more controversy in 2001 when the Prison Reform Trust named it as the most violent detention centre in England.

The prison provides full-time education and vocational training geared towards GCSEs, GNVQs and City and Guilds qualifications for all inmates.

Castington's Healthcare Centre has nursing cover 24 hours per day with seven in-patient beds and a Primary Care area.

Outpatient facilities include a daily GP surgery with access to a dentist, optician, and podiatrist, as well as specialised mental health services.