Following the announcement that, along with HMP Birmingham, its operation would be contracted out to a private company, the Prison Officers Association threatened industrial action.

Following a surprise inspection by HM Inspector of Prisons, the report published in October 2013 identified several issues of concern, including a high level of violence.

The prison was the first to be built in a modular fashion in the UK, with pre-construction sections containing plumbing, electricity and fire alarm systems.

[5] Although reported by some media outlets as being sold,[2][6] it's operation was contracted out to G4S in March 2011, for fifteen years, along with HMP Birmingham, to become G4S’ fifth and sixth prisons in England and Wales.

[10] Clarke was questioned in the Commons at the time of the announcement by constituency MP Gavin Williamson regarding the levels of staff training provided compared to the two publicly run prisons located nearby.

"[11] The prison was officially named HMP Oakwood in December 2011, after the oak tree in which Charles II was reputed to have hidden from Oliver Cromwell’s troops during the English Civil War, located in nearby Boscobel Wood.

Newcomen reported that prison staff found the inmate collapsed and not breathing in his cell, but were unable to access a defibrillator because it was locked away.