Safety
Repeated
Safety in the prison has deteriorated, and notes that this is the second year running that such a judgement has been made.
Safety
Increased number of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, an increase in prisoner self-harm, and the significant number of weapons finds.
Substance Misuse
An underlying economy of drugs and other substance misuse is likely to increase the negative impact of gang cultures at the prison, making prisoners feel less safe.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The lack of any meaningful education programme and the limitations in providing full-time work and structured on-wing activity have led to a significant reduction in purposeful activity and to prisoners continuing to spend long periods locked in their cells.
Healthcare
Healthcare services have continued to be under great pressure throughout the period. Prisoners’ physical and mental health have been given due attention, but the Board considers it to be at a lower standard than that available in the community.
Mental Health
The mental and emotional wellbeing of prisoners remains a significant concern because of the effect of prolonged periods of time spent by prisoners in their cells.
Staffing
The shortages of healthcare staff and the removal of the night staffing cover have increased the risk to the wellbeing of prisoners.
Education/Purposeful Activity
The failure to provide an adequate number of offending behaviour and drug treatment programmes, restricted full-time work opportunities and a limited education service has compromised the overall progression of many prisoners in their sentences.
Safety
Repeated
The Board continues to request that priority be given to holding coroners’ inquests for deaths in custody to provide bereaved families with an understanding of the circumstances of the deaths of their relatives.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The Board believes there should be a renewed focus and energy on reviewing the sentences of indeterminate sentenced (IPP) prisoners, as this recommendation from the Justice Select Committee was not accepted.
Resettlement/Release
The Board feels that the amendments to the Parole Board rules, which came into force in July 2022, are denying opportunities for prisoners who are seeking transfer to open conditions or moving towards release.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
To find a speedy solution to ensure that reliable remote video-calling is provided for prisoners at HMP Lowdham Grange. This service has been completely unreliable since it was introduced and has caused many remote calls to be cancelled, causing distress for prisoners and their families.
Other
Repeated
To give renewed emphasis to the development of a national system of storage and retrieval of prisoners’ property when prisoners are moved between prisons. The issuing of a revised framework in August 2022 has brought no change, and greater efforts are needed to find a national solution to this problem.
Staffing
The impending contract changes appeared to have a damaging effect on the morale and attitudes of prison staff on the wings and houseblocks.
Staffing
Prison officers appeared to be spending more time inside the wing offices and they were less visible on the landings. Consequently, they had much less interaction with prisoners and various prisoners have complained of staff appearing disengaged.
Equality/Diversity
The Board is disappointed that some of the major faith festival or observance days were overlooked by prison management during the year.
Mental Health
Some prisoners are still held in the unit for extended periods of time... at least three prisoners have not been transferred to secure mental health facilities during the 14-day window
Mental Health
the segregation unit is not the appropriate place for long-term detention because of the national shortage of beds in secure hospitals
Substance Misuse
alcohol treatment engagement is lower in HMP Lowdham Grange when compared with similar establishments and it is not appropriate, especially because the brewing of hooch remains at high levels