Lowdham Grange: A modern prison setting people up to fail 

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ report on Lowdham Grange prison, published today (Tuesday 17 June).

Inspectors visited the prison, in Nottinghamshire, in March 2025 and found critical failures in safety, with use of force soaring, violence increasing, and drugs widely available. Ten people had died since the last inspection in 2023, and four of these cases were suspected to be linked to drug use.

A survey of people living in the prison found that 40% felt unsafe, and 56% said it was easy to get hold of drugs. More than 40 per cent had tested positive in random drug testing in the previous 10 months.

Lowdham Grange opened in 1998 and was run for 25 years by Serco. In 2023, the contract was transferred to Sodexo. A year later, conditions had deteriorated so dramatically that the Ministry of Justice decided to ‘step in’ and take over the running of the prison.

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.”

Notes to editors

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.
2. The inspection report for Lowdham Grange prison is available on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website at: https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/our-reports/

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Noor Khan
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