Last Week in Criminal Justice - 20/06/2025

By Chris English

Have a browse below through our weekly overview of news from the criminal justice sector.

Inspection shows critical and ongoing failures in Nottingham Prison

HMIP (His Majesties Inspectorate of Prisons) recently visited HMP Lowdham Grange and found a significant rise in violent incidents and medical emergencies. A report, released on the 17^th June stated that the prisons response to past recommendations was inadequate. The report also states “We gave Lowdham Grange the worst possible scores on safety, respect and decency”.

Independent Monitoring Board publishes findings on HMP/YOI Isis

The 2024 IMB report has highlighted a range of worrying trends in Prisons throughout the UK. Here are some of the main takeaways:

• A significant rise in safety-related incidents at HMP/YOI Isis, driven by a demographic shift. Prisoners aged 18–21 rose to 44% of the population, contributing to a 31% increase in assaults on both prisoners.
• Weapons finds more than doubled, averaging 57 per month by December, and were often homemade. In response, 87% of staff received PAVA spray training, with usage increasing sharply after cell allocation changes in September.
• Despite increased education and library attendance, prisoners remained locked up for extended periods of time. Often well above the recommended 10 hours out-of-cell time per day.
• Overall the board recommended an increase in security, mental health support and regime improvements.

To read the full report click here

Justice Secretary faces more scrutiny over rollout of synthetic pepper spray

The justice secretary has been criticised for the over reliance of ‘pava spray’ in male youth offending setting, with IMB’s annual report highlighting that in some prisons there was a “clear racial disparities in the use of force”.

The national chair of the IMB, Elisabeth Davies has urged the Justice Secretary to pause on the use of the pava sprays, especially in youth offending institutions.