HMP Lowdham Grange review finds an increase in assaults on jail wardens and smuggled drugs
A prison review has found an increase in prisoner-on-staff assaults, vulnerable prisoners kept in isolation and attempts to mail-in drugs.
The Independent Monitoring Board's 2020-21 report of HMP Lowdham Grange also determined the mental health care available to prisoners was insufficient, which was partially attributed to covid-19 restrictions.
Restrictions were considered to be the reason for the increase in prisoner-on-staff assaults.
The report said: "The majority of the assaults on staff appeared to be minor and they occurred as a result of some prisoners’ reluctance to follow the very stringent rules imposed as a result of covid-19 precautions."
Prisoners raised concerns about the negative effects of these regime restrictions on their mental health.
Out of cell time was limited to an average of one hour a day, and fitness and recreation activities halted.
Shielding also led to a lack of welfare visits and prevented the full opening of the well-being centre which had been set to be a huge support to prisoners struggling with their mental health.
The report noted the prison provided extra phone credit and an in-cell messaging service to help with the lack of face-to-face interaction.
There was also concern about the long-term isolation of mentally ill prisoners in the re-integration unit (RIU).
The report said: "These extended stays continue to be both undesirable and in many cases, detrimental to the prisoners concerned.
"However, the board is satisfied that prisoners are only located in the RIU when the prison has considered all alternatives and where segregation provides the only option to keep prisoners and staff safe."
A lack of beds in secure mental units and slow communication between different prison authorities have been listed as reasons for prolonged stays in the RIU.
Despite the issues with mental health care, multiple prisoners completed substance misuse treatment and recovery therapy (SMART) programmes during the year, with drugs finds decreasing by seven a month to an average of ten.
Other illicit items discovered were more than 100 mobile phones and 388 alcohol finds. Also found were around 12 weapons each month, which represents a 54% decrease.
The board also noted the work of the education team that provided packs on a variety of subjects to prisoners' cells, an almost 46% decrease in prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, and the success of the specialist in-house team in subduing major incidents.
The prison was determined to be clean and tidy, and the grounds well maintained and that the inmates are generally treated fairly.
At the end of the reporting year, HMP Lowdham had 885 inmates with an operational capacity of 888.
The prison is run by Serco, which is contracted by the Ministry of Justice and provides all services except healthcare.
