HMP Lowdham Grange’s inspection report published by HM Inspectorate of Prisons — highlighting high levels of drugs, violence, and use of force
A prison inspection has found that many inmates feel unsafe, drugs are easy to get hold of, and violence is on the rise.
HMP Lowdham Grange was recently inspected, unannounced, by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor, with the report published today (June 17).
The prison has in recent years faced significant problems following the changeover between private contractors Serco and Sodexo, ultimately leading to the prison being brought under the direct control of HM Prison and Probation Service in August 2024.
HMP Lowdham Grange is a category B men’s prison, with many of those held there serving long sentences including life sentences.
“In our survey, 40% of prisoners said that they currently felt unsafe. The level of violence had increased since the last inspection and use of force had trebled,” Mr Taylor’s report stated.
“The rate of self-harm, although on a downward trajectory over the past 12 months, was still the third highest among category B trainers and 39% higher than in our 2023 inspection.
“Work to incentivise prisoners was almost non-existent and formal disciplinary procedures were in disarray. The random drug testing positive rate was 40.6% for the previous 10 months and 56% of surveyed prisoners said it was easy to get hold of drugs.”
The report identified 15 key concerns, with five of those deemed priorities.
These are the ‘very high’ use of force, the high rate of self-harm and poor response to death in custody, insufficient visible leadership from middle managers to support inexperienced officers, unsafe health services, and failure to deliver a reliable regime which prevents prisoners from effectively completing domestic tasks, education and work.
The inspection also highlighted ten deaths in custody in the previous two years, with two self-inflicted deaths and four deaths attributable to problematic drug use.
Drugs were of particular concern, especially via drone delivery. The random drug testing positive rate was high at 40.6% for the previous 10 months, and there were fears vulnerable people were being exploited.
Since the last full inspection in 2023, the use of force had trebled from 267 to 818 incidents. In the past year PAVA incapacitant spray was used on 18 occasions, and batons on five.
The level of violence had also increased since the last inspection. In the 12 months before that inspection there had been 235 assaults, but for the equivalent period before this inspection the figure was 450, the report stated, which was also contributing to prisoners feeling unsafe.
The prison was also found to be failing to adequately prepare prisoners for release, with not enough achieving mathematics and English qualifications, and a ‘shambolic’ booking system made it hard for prisoners to maintain family ties.
An illicit market for visit slots had also been created by prisoners with access to in-cell laptops who were able to book them hours before those without laptops.
Fair treatment and inclusion was also found to be poor, with prisoners with disabilities living in “neglectful conditions, some having made their own cell adaptations”, and Muslim prisoners having to join a waiting list to attend prayers due to lack of space.
However, some improvements have been made since HM Prison and Probation Service took over, especially in relation to staffing.
A new Governor has been appointed, new managers introduced on the secure unit, the security team strengthened, and more staff added to the dedicated search team.
Mr Taylor added: “Although there were many challenges at Lowdham Grange, the new governor had quickly established an understanding of the key issues that needed to be addressed, and inspectors left with some hope that the chaos seen at recent visits had started to subside.
“To maintain this momentum, the governor will need continued support to rebuild her senior team, better equip middle managers and develop a cohort of staff capable of delivering basic standards.”
Physical improvements are also being made, with netting to be improved over outdoor areas accessible to prisoners to prevent drone deliveries, repainting in some communal areas, and new furnishings had been ordered to refurbish the visits hall.
The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ report on Lowdham Grange prison, branding the establishment a “modern prison setting people up to fail”.
Andrea Coomber KC (Hon), chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “As the government prepares to waste billions on building more prisons, this report should remind everyone that, while crumbling Victorian jails get most attention, there are major problems in newer jails, too.
“Lowdham Grange only opened at the turn of the century, but it has declined into serious trouble, failing to keep people safe, failing to keep them away from drugs, even failing to record all incidents of self-harm.
“This is supposed to be a training prison, where people learn skills that will help them to move on from crime and contribute positively to society. Instead, it is setting people up to fail.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "This Government is gripping the prisons crisis it inherited last summer. We have been working hard over the last year to fix the serious issues at HMP Lowdham Grange that forced us to take over its running from Sodexo and are pleased the report acknowledges the progress made.
“We know there is more to do and we have already provided additional staffing and training to address the issues. This is on top of landmark sentencing reforms to reduce pressure on our prisons.”
The MOJ highlighted improvements taking place at the prison including additional training and support for staff, a partnership with Nottinghamshire Police to take a zero-tolerance approach to poor behaviour and the smuggling of contraband resulting in several arrests, better training on managing conflict, and the recruitment of a full time use of force co-ordinator as well as regular reviews of use of force.
Following the inspection, a new post has been created to provide more resettlement support for those approaching release and links with external partners in the main release areas are being developed to strengthen the information sharing and support for prisoners on release.
The MOJ also noted it was pleased inspectors highlighted two positive initiatives at the prison: a digital media course that gives prisoners job-ready skills for when they're released, and simplified release conditions that help prisoners clearly understand what's expected of them after release.
