Lowdham Grange prison takeover: Government takes charge after safety concerns

A Nottinghamshire prison has been taken over by the Government for an interim period after concerns were raised about safety and security. On Monday, December 18, HM Prison and Probation Service took over the running of HMP Lowdham Grange and will be appointing a new governor.

Since February 2023, the prison had been run by private firm Sodexo and an inspection in May 2023 found that inmates were not being kept safe. The report said that staff were not treating prisoners well enough, they had little time out of their cells, and the teaching and learning available were poor.




The inspection highlighted a number of problems since the previous inspection in 2018, including 14 prisoner deaths, rising levels of self-harm, violence and disruptive behaviour. Gang-related violence, drugs, associated debt and bullying were also identified as issues contributing to violence.

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Despite Sodexo working to try to improve standards since the summer inspection, the prison has now been taken over in accordance with the Criminal Justice Act 1991. The Prison Service will also be bringing in new staff from the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to increase staffing levels and help strengthen leadership at the prison.

An immediate review is also set to be launched regarding the conditions and compliance at the prison so that action can be taken to improve safety and security.

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Prisons Minister Edward Argar said: “Given the very specific issues at HMP Lowdham Grange, it is right that we have swiftly taken the action necessary to deliver the required improvements, and by ‘stepping in’ we are able to provide the additional support needed.

“The majority of our privately-run prisons, including others run by Sodexo, perform well, but where circumstances make it necessary, just as with all prisons, we will always take the decisive steps necessary to ensure they meet the standards we expect.”


To help minimise disruption the Prison Service will work closely with Sodexo, and since Sunday, December 10, the HMPPS has already been supporting the site with additional staff and resources. The prison will be run by HMPPS for an interim period initially, but this could be extended.

A Sodexo spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work closely with the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS at this time, and our primary focus remains on ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone who lives and works at the prison.”

Follow our live updates and get the latest reaction in the blog below this story.


Serco previously managed the prison

The prison had been managed by Serco since it opened in 1998. Sodexo took over the prison in February 2023 after they secured a government contract worth £264million.

Prison supported with extra staff and resources

HM Prison and Probation Service has confirmed that it will run Lowdham Grange for an initial interim period, but that this could be extended. The government agency has also been supporting the prison with additional staff and resources since Sunday, December 10 due to significant staffing issues.

Three prisoners died within a three week period

Within a three week period earlier this year three prisoners died at HMP Lowdham Grange. Following the deaths an investigation was carried out by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.

Drugs are amongst one of the issues at the prison

The total value of drugs seized was estimated at £17,000. DI Richard Cornell, from the EMSOU, said: “Vivienne Williams was a key player in this plot to supply mind-altering drugs to prisoners.

“She exploited her legitimate phone access to an inmate by patching in others to the calls, enabling them to make their criminal plans, and then followed through with those plans by assisting in the movement of the drugs.”

Tik Tok video showed members of staff raising voices at an inmate

Councillor shares opinion on prison takeover

Councillor Roger Jackson is the Nottinghamshire County Council for the Lowdham area. Regarding the Prison Service taking over the prison from Sodexo, he stated: “I have very little contact with them, it’s something that is there on my patch but it doesn’t really come onto my radar that often.

“The government is doing the right thing if that is neeeded. It wants a proper management.”

He explained that he is aware that “there have been issues” at the prison in the past, but feels it is “unfortunate” that this is what is has had to come to.

Concerns of safety have previously been raised at the prison

Lowdham Grange holds nearly 900 male prisoners and has around 500 staff. The prison has previously stated that the safety and welfare of its staff, prisoners and visitors remain its “top priority”

Update from Sodexo

A Sodexo spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work closely with the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS at this time, and our primary focus remains on ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone who lives and works at the prison.”

Several prisoners have died inside the Nottinghamshire prison recently

Update from Prisons Minister

Prisons Minister Edward Argar said: “Given the very specific issues at HMP Lowdham Grange, it is right that we have swiftly taken the action necessary to deliver the required improvements, and by ‘stepping in’ we are able to provide the additional support needed.

“The majority of our privately-run prisons, including others run by Sodexo, perform well, but where circumstances make it necessary, just as with all prisons, we will always take the decisive steps necessary to ensure they meet the standards we expect.”

HMP Lowdham Grange is taken over by HM Prison and Probation Service

HMP Lowdham Grange is taken over by HM Prison and Probation Service. The Prison Service has taken over the Nottinghamshire prison on an interim period to help improve safety and security at the prison.

Reference

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