- Samantha Noble
- BBC News, East Midlands
image source, Getty Images
The Government is set to permanently take over the running of Nottinghamshire's prisons, months after a damning report was published.
An inspection of HMP Lowdham Grange in August found a number of deficiencies, including high levels of violence and self-harm.
The government provisionally took over a Category B prison in December.
The company has now announced that making it permanent is “the best way to ensure continued improvement.”
A report earlier this year said more than 120 prison staff had resigned, more than half of them front-line corrections officers, leaving the prison understaffed.
The report also said that around 600 liters of illegally brewed alcohol ('hooch') was seized in 'targeted searches' over the Christmas period.
Prisons Minister Edward Argar announced that conditions had been agreed in principle to bring the prison under permanent public control.
Lowdham Grange was run by Sodexo before the government came to power but has been privatised since the 1990s.
Mr Alger said: “Given the very specific problems at Lowdham Grange Prison, we took swift action to improve conditions and safety by providing additional support.”
“The majority of private prisons, including those run by Sodex, are performing well, but it's clear that a permanent takeover is the best way to ensure continued improvement.”
The transfer from Sodexo to Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is expected to take place this summer.
The government announced that Sodexo had agreed to pay a settlement to cover the costs of the “intervention” measures and running costs until February 2028, when a five-year suspension clause may be triggered by HMPPS.
He said this meant there would be no increased burden on taxpayers.
The government added that prison staff will continue to be employed and supported during the transition period.
Governor Neil Thomas, who took over as prison commander last December, will continue to “lead the prison and direct the transition process.”
