HMP Lowdham Grange: How a troubled prison reached breaking point

In June this year, a report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons noted “considerable improvements” at the jail following an inspection in May.

However, that came after serious failings were found in 2025, and even in the more positive report, inspectors said “longstanding problems” still needed to be solved.

In June 2025, another significant change took place, as Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust announced it was withdrawing as healthcare provider for the prison, with Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust taking over.

Staff shortages have continued, leading to numerous instances of the prison being locked down due to a lack of officers, while the leadership of the prison has changed on numerous occasions. Conditions at Lowdham Grange have also been raised in Parliament by Michelle Welsh, the Labour MP for Sherwood Forest, the constituency in which the prison is based.

The BBC has made repeated requests to interview Tyrienna Greenslade, who took over as governor of Lowdham Grange in March 2025, but these have been refused by the MoJ.

However, in a statement, a spokesperson for the MoJ said: “HMP Lowdham Grange is making important progress thanks to expert leadership.

“We have invested over £40m in physical security across the prison estate, and are investing a further £35m this year at high-risk sites. This has helped cut drug use while better staffing has created a safer environment.

“The prison will continue to improve the support it provides to people at risk of self-harm or suicide, alongside better mental health support to help bring self-harm rates down.”