During the Second World War the site was initially used as a base for MI6, and was then a training centre for the Special Operations Executive.

In April 2003, burglars broke into Spring Hill Prison, stealing £650 from a safe and taking valuable personal effects, including mobile phones, from inmates' lockers.

[3] Spring Hill is a Category D open resettlement prison for male adults.

HMP Spring Hill offers a range of employment and education courses.

In June 2018, HMP Spring Hill became the third prison in the world to host a Parkrun, a weekly 5-kilometre running event that takes place at over 1,400 locations in 22 countries.