PRT comment: HMP Lowdham Grange

Commenting on the findings of conditions at HMP Lowdham Grange by HM Inspectorate of Prisons today (17 June) Mark Day, Deputy Director of the Prison Reform Trust, said:

“This deeply concerning report shows that the chief inspector was a hair’s breadth from issuing an Urgent Notification in response to the dire conditions he witnessed at Lowdham Grange. He refrained from doing so because the prison was already receiving significant support from the government, and a new governor had begun to address the problems.

“It is hoped that the governor backed by additional support will be able to deliver an urgent improvement in standards at this troubled prison. Lowdham Grange is a training prison tasked with helping prisoners convicted of some of the most serious offences to reduce their risk of reoffending. But on the evidence of this report, it is failing to deliver even the most basic standards of safety, decency and respect.”