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Women at Low Newton benefit from strong, supportive culture and sustained improvement

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HMP & YOI Low Newton has been praised for its strong leadership, positive culture and impressive support for women, according to a new inspection report published today.

Inspectors found a well‑run prison where strong, trusting relationships between staff and women were central to its success. Women praised the compassion, patience and consistency shown by staff, and many reported improvements in their well‑being and confidence since arriving at the jail.

The governor, who took up post in January 2024, had been instrumental in embedding a culture that prioritised dignity, understanding and rehabilitation. The rollout of ‘Behind the Behaviour’ training had helped staff to better understand the needs of the women they supported, contributing to calmer living environments and more constructive day‑to‑day interactions.

Despite national pressures on education services, Low Newton had maintained a broad curriculum and a good variety of employment and recreational opportunities. Women enjoyed more time out of cell than in many comparable prisons, and release on temporary licence (ROTL) was used creatively to help maintain family ties, support resettlement and build confidence.

Mental health provision was strong, with a skilled, well‑resourced and dedicated team offering timely and collaborative support. Specialist units, such as the Primrose and PIPE, continued to help women address complex needs and develop healthier coping strategies. Meanwhile the health care team provided impressive medical and therapeutic interventions, particularly for those recovering from substance misuse.

Inspectors identified some areas where further progress was needed, including reducing drug ingress and making sure force was used only as a last resort. However, they acknowledged that leaders were already taking steps to address this, including strengthening staff confidence, improving de‑escalation skills and implementing more trauma‑informed approaches.

Our scores reflect a well‑run, decent prison. The inspection team left Low Newton with confidence that the improvements we highlighted would be sustained and built on. The governor and his team should be proud of their achievements – this prison sets the benchmark to which similar jails should aspire.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor

Notes to editors

  1. This inspection took place between 10–20 November 2025.
  2. A copy of the full report, published on 24 February 2026, can be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website at: https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/.
  3. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
  4. Please email media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.