HMP Lowdham Grange: Government to permanently take over running prison

The government said action taken so far to improve standards included a “bolstered HMPPS senior management team” and up to 50 additional, experienced, prison officers and residential managers to help provide consistent and predictable regimes for prisoners.

It added that a joint HMPPS and Sodexo search, which found “significant” amounts of contraband, had taken place.

The refurbishment of windows on one wing – with a further seven wings planned – has also taken place to “improve decency and prevent contraband ingress”.

A HMPPS team also arranged illicitly brewed alcohol dogs (IBAD) support, which “resulted in considerable quantities of either fermenting or distilled being removed from the establishment”.

As a result of these measures, the government said rates of violence towards staff had decreased by 50%, and there had been a significant reduction in prisoner-on-prisoner assault rates.

A spokesperson for Sodexo said: “HMP Lowdham Grange is a prison facing a unique set of challenges. We have worked tirelessly and very closely with HMPPS since February 2023 to seek to improve stability and deliver the significant improvements expected. However, we believe, in these specific circumstances, that this move is in the best interests of all concerned.

“At this time, we are focused on working alongside the MoJ and HMPPS to ensure a safe, secure and seamless transfer for everyone who lives and works at the prison.

“We wholeheartedly thank our colleagues at the prison who work exceptionally hard in often difficult circumstances.”