“Step-in” process will stabilise privately-run prison,
provide leadership and put it on sustainable footing
New Governor to take command alongside deployment of
experienced prison staff
Action will minimise disruption to staff and will be for
an initial interim period
The immediate steps to stabilise the prison include:
- Deploying a new Governor to take command of the
establishment
- Bringing in experienced HMPPS staff, including prison
officers to bolster staffing levels and additional managers to
strengthen leadership at the prison
- Launching an immediate review of conditions and compliance at
the prison so remedial action can be taken to improve stability,
security and safety.
The move comes after an unannounced inspection by His Majesty’s
Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) this summer which showed the
prison was unsafe and failing to rehabilitate offenders.
Despite work from the Prison Service and the operator Sodexo to
try and improve standards since then, conditions have further
deteriorated, and senior prison leaders have now concluded that
stepping in is necessary to make the improvements needed.
This means that from today (18 December 2023) the establishment
will be taken over, in accordance with the Criminal Justice Act
1991 and as part of the contract with Sodexo.
Prisons Minister 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.
The Prison Service will work closely with Sodexo to ensure
minimal disruption and to reassure staff of our mutual commitment
to stabilising the prison and putting it on a sustainable
footing.
HMPPS has already been supporting the prison with additional
staff and resources since Sunday December 10 because of
significant staffing issues and a severely impacted regime.
HMPPS will run Lowdham Grange for an initial interim period which
may be extended.