Serco hands over operation of HMP Lowdham Grange near Newark to Sodexo
A prison is changing hands today, with the operating company bidding a fond farewell after 25 years.
Serco has been managing and operating HMP Lowdham Grange on behalf of the Ministry of Justice since it opened in 1998.
Operation of the prison will be handed over to Sodexo.
During their time managing the prison, it has been held in high regard, most recently winning praise from HM Inspector of Prisons for being a ‘well led prison’ that dealt effectively with a serious COVID-19 outbreak.
Mark Hanson, Serco justice director, who used to run HMP Lowdham Grange, said: “We are particularly proud of the innovations that have been introduced into the prison over the years, including being the first prison in the UK to instal in-cell telephony, the photo booth that allows prisoners to send photos to friends and family, the unique links to Nottingham Trent University that enabled students and prisoners to complete a higher education course in Criminology and the Pathfinder proximity sensor that provided a loud audible warning when another person comes closer than two metres, which was particularly useful during the Covid pandemic.
“But most of all we are proud of all the staff at the prison who do such challenging work and who work tirelessly to keep everyone safe and well. We wish them all the very best for the future.”
HMP Lowdham Grange is a Category B training prison accommodating adult male offenders aged 21 and over with sentences over four years and with at least 12 months to serve.
It has a maximum capacity of 920.