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Low Newton

AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Low Newton, a women's prison, has implemented positive changes to its regime and culture, with strong commendations from HMIP. However, the reporting year saw a significant rise in self-harm, violence, and use of force, alongside persistent concerns regarding the transport of women to the prison and the inappropriate placement of severely mentally unwell individuals in a custodial environment. The Board noted good staff professionalism and effective rehabilitation programmes, but highlighted ongoing challenges with staffing shortages and resettlement support.

Year: 2026 Published: 12 Jun 2026 Type: Prison · Cat YOI, Women's Population: 278 Recommendations: 3 Key concerns Positive findings
Original IMB report page ↗ Ministerial response · 29 Jun 2026 ↗

Safety statistics

Incidents during reporting year
IndicatorThis yearPrevious
Self-harm incidents1,595999
ACCT cases opened439337
Prisoner assaults5836
Assaults on staff13381
Use of force574304

Positive findings

AI-generated summary
HMP/YOI Low Newton has been recognised by HMIP as ‘setting the benchmark to which other prisons should aspire’ for its regime and culture changes. The Board observed improvements in maintaining family contact and high levels of resettlement support. Reception processes are well-managed and designed to be calm, with good support mechanisms for new arrivals, including peer support and healthcare staff. The management of young offenders is a notable strength, ensuring a safe and supportive environment. Staff professionalism and resilience in managing challenging behaviors, including self-harm and violence, are consistently commended. Wings are generally clean, orderlies enjoy their work, and positive relationships are observed among staff and prisoners, particularly in the J wing and the outdoor environment. The tuck shop and kitchen are popular and well-run, providing varied and enjoyable food. The chaplaincy team provides integral support, offering a safe, compassionate, and non-judgemental space. Healthcare staffing levels are generally good, and the prison offers a range of psychology programs and a palliative care service. The Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Team (DART) offers extensive support, and there's a growing emphasis on soft skills and creative arts through partnerships with charities like Junction 42 and Fine Cell Work. Education attendance is strong, with many women achieving qualifications, and vocational training provides valuable skills for release. Key work officers are upskilled, using the effective CRISS model for recording prisoner sessions.

Key concerns

12 items
Safety The Board is concerned about the significant rise in self-harm, violence and use of force over the reporting year.
Estate/Conditions Ongoing issues with unclean conditions in the care and separation unit (CSU).
Other Repeated Mixed-sex transport continues to be used (a recent HMIP inspection report of the establishment recommended single-sex transport), toilet and sanitary provision remains inadequate and some women continue to experience lengthy journeys of up to seven hours.
Mental Health Repeated The IMB at HMP/YOI Low Newton has, for several years, raised concerns about the number of severely mentally unwell women sent to prison.
Resettlement/Release The Board has concerns about the number of women who are released without accommodation to go to.
Estate/Conditions A major gas leak in the establishment resulted in the loss of heating and hot water.
Regime/Time Out of Cell Lack of available storage space has had an unfortunate impact on access to the Hive, an incentivised association space.
Staffing Ongoing staff shortages continue to affect the regime, limiting opportunities to build and maintain effective relationships and potentially negatively impacting prisoners' mental health and overall wellbeing.
Mental Health Some prisoners still require a move to a mental health bed in the community and waiting times for such a place have been lengthy.
Resettlement/Release Concerns about the necessary resources that may or may not be available in the community to support women who are released with severe issues or in distress, especially regarding accommodation.
Resettlement/Release Courts sentencing women to short sentences and early release schemes either mean work cannot be started or sometimes disrupt ongoing work.
Safety Access to the Listener service has not always been available.

Recommendations

3 items · 3 repeated

Recommendation 1

Addressee: Ministry of Justice

The IMB at HMP/YOI Low Newton has, for several years, raised concerns about the number of severely mentally unwell women sent to prison. We are aware of the Health of People in Prison, on Probation and in the Secure NHS Estate in England report and have read the executive summary and recommendations published in November 2025. When will these recommendations be implemented in full, and what steps are being taken to ensure this happens without further delay?

Repeated Source text verified

Government response
I recognise that the issue relating to the number of severely mentally unwell women sent to prison has been reiterated by the Board over a number of years, including in its previous report. Commissioners are aware of the recommendations from the Health of People in Prison, on Probation and in the Secure NHS Estate in England report and that HMP/YOI Low Newton was highlighted as good practice within those recommendations for joint leadership and an innovative regime. The recommendations within the report are nationally driven and involve a number of partners across the health and justice system. Joint partnerships work is in progress, which will improve outcomes for women in their care. While this reflects continued work at a local level, I recognise the Board’s concern that this remains an ongoing issue, particularly where needs are complex and challenging to meet within a custodial environment.

Recorded status: In progress

Topic: Mental Health

Recommendation 2

Addressee: HMPPS

The Board has continued to closely monitor transport of women to the prison. Whilst there was a short-lived improvement in the service, there continue to be issues, resulting in the Board writing to the Acting Director of PECS detailing our concerns. GeoAmey appears to operate to tight targets, but when these are not met, the consequences can be catastrophic, in our view. Mixed-sex transport continues to be used (a recent HMIP inspection report of the establishment recommended single-sex transport), toilet and sanitary provision remains inadequate and some women continue to experience lengthy journeys of up to seven hours. When will the Prison Service take decisive action to address these longstanding failings and commit to including operational staff and others with direct experience of women’s transport in any review of transport and before the next contract takes effect?

Repeated Source text verified

Government response
Under current contractual arrangements, Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) suppliers are permitted to transport women on mixed-sex journeys, provided that a privacy screen is inserted between men and women. PECS Escort Contractors are contractually required to return prisoners by the establishment’s Latest Reception Time. Specific performance measures are in place to monitor the return journey of women from court, including a focus on transporting women within two hours of their court appearance. The dispersed nature of the women’s estate requires contractors to manage their fleet effectively. However, there may be occasions where late court sittings, longer travel distances, traffic conditions or adverse weather impact arrival times. In such circumstances, escorts are required to ensure that receiving prisons are informed of delays and that agreement is sought in advance for the safe receipt of late arrivals. PECS continues to monitor all aspects of contractor performance, and where this does not meet the agreed levels it is raised with the contractor for improvement. Decency, including toilet and sanitary provision, remains a key consideration and is monitored through Safe, Secure and Decent Compliance audits carried out by regional PECS Contract Delivery Managers.

Recorded status: In progress

Topic: Transport

Recommendation 3

Addressee: Governor / Director

Building on the last two years of change and innovation, will the Governor and the senior management team provide the Board with a clear and candid assessment of what has been achieved and where significant progress is still required?

Repeated Source text verified

Government response
The Governor will continue to keep you informed of progress in relation to the issues you have raised.

Recorded status: In progress

Topic: Management

Applications to the IMB

CategoryCurrentPrevious
Accommodation (including transfers) 45 38
Bail 3 2
Complaints (internal prison) 23 18
Daily Living (e.g., regime, food, showers) 34 29
Discrimination 1 0
Diversity 0 0
Early Release 6 5
Education 7 6
Family (e.g., visits, contact with children) 12 10
Healthcare 41 35
Legal (e.g., solicitors, court dates) 15 12
Money 4 3
Other 18 14
Property 19 15
Safety (including bullying, self-harm) 27 22
Staff 9 7
Total 269 220
Work/Pay 5 4

Related inspections & investigations

2 Jun 2021 HMIP · Unannounced
— PPO fatal incident Angela Montgomery · Other non-natural
— PPO fatal incident Kate Allen
27 Feb 2025 PPO fatal incident Melissa Ridley · Other non-natural
1 Aug 2024 PPO fatal incident Sonia Little · Other non-natural
— PPO fatal incident Rebecca Holloway

Other reports for Low Newton

2025 Published 3 Jul 2025 Population 274 · Self-harm 999 · Concerns
2024 Published 28 Aug 2024 · Self-harm 704 · Concerns
2023 Published 29 Aug 2023 Population 262 · Self-harm 398 · Concerns
2022 Published 3 Aug 2022 Population 242 · Self-harm 427 · Concerns
2021 Published 4 Oct 2021 Population 237 · Self-harm 470 · Concerns
2020 Published 8 Jul 2020 Population 271 · Concerns