Sudbury was originally constructed as a hospital for the United States Air Force for the D-Day landings.

The original single-storey accommodation from the hospital still houses prisoners today, with newer additional single storey buildings also used.

[4] In August 2021, a former female prison officer was jailed for three years for forming a relationship with an inmate and helping him abscond from HMP Sudbury.

Full-time and part-time education, as well as evening classes, are offered to inmates at HMP Sudbury.

Workshops and training courses include bricklaying, painting & decorating, industrial cleaning, farms and gardens, catering and site maintenance.