PRISONERS AT HMP LOWDHAM GRANGE RECOUNT TALES OF VIOLENCE, DRUGS AND STAFFING SHORTAGES

The Howard League for Penal Reform has published new, first-hand accounts of life in HMP Lowdham Grange. Though once described as “among the most impressive category B training prisons in the system”, a recent report revealed Lowdham Grange as a prison ‘in dire straits’, with the lowest possible ratings for safety and respect.

The following testimonies address shortages of staff, mismanagement and violence: 

“35 staff off (due to) sick leave. 17 staff off due to being assaulted. They are drafting staff in from other prisons cause they are really short staffed. They are stopping in hotels as well.” – Darren

“20 members of staff failed to turn up for work … this has resulted in the jail being run on a restricted regime and only 50% of the prison operating, this scenario is what sparked the last riots off.” – Kevin

“The staff here don’t seem to care here about prisoners, [senior officers]  wont come out the office to speak to us. We spent 26 ½ hours in our cells only got half the regime we was meant to. Cold meals while behind doors. Those chips my dog wouldn’t eat. 90% of the jail looks starved everyone is mad skinny and I ain’t had a job since October 2024 so I just been sitting in my cell.” – Joe

“When Serco handed over to Sodexo straight away the prison had staff issues, red regime straight away … Serco only had hold of the jail by their fingertips because of endless phone credit, goody packs, drink packs, clothing parcels, extra cakes … Sodexo stopped everything that was extra … and the prison rioted” – Kevin

“We are suffering staggeringly high numbers of people nearly dying going code blue from the most potent drugs I have ever seen. People are segged off for their own good to get them off the drugs, they come back looking fresh but their built-up tolerance has gone and they use the same amount they used when last smoking … straight to code blue.” – Kevin

“I jumped over the railing … I done it because I was assaulted by a officer pushing me and slamming the door on my arm.” – James

“I have struggled with anxiety and panic attacks, it took me 3 ½ months to be assessed after I complained to CQC [Care Quality Commission] about lack of mental health services.” – Levi

To read further accounts, click here.