On 9 March 2005, it was announced that the "Weare" was to close, mainly due to costly running, being unnecessary and the cost of millions of pounds in order to refurbish it. The prison briefly closed in 2005 and was reopened a few months later for a short period. Not long after, the prison closed permanently and sold. In 2006, the ship was sold off after conditions on board were criticised by the Chief Inspector for Prisoners Anne Owers. The chief complained that the inmates had no exercise and no access to fresh air, also stating the ship was "unsuitable, expensive and in the wrong place".