Inquest Hears HMP Lowdham Grange Was in ‘Disarray’ During Period of Three Inmate Deaths

An inquest has been informed that a correctional facility was in a state of “disarray” when three prisoners passed away within a single month. Matt Brady, who was employed at HMP Lowdham Grange from 1997 until 2023, stated that staffing levels were insufficient when Anthony Binfield, Rolandas Karbauskas, and David Richards died in their respective cells in March 2023. Speaking at Nottingham Coroner’s Court on Friday, Mr. Brady testified that worries had been communicated to Serco and Sodexo prior to the initial transfer of the prison between distinct private operators. The ongoing joint inquest concerning the fatalities of the three individuals is anticipated to continue hearing testimony through January. During the inquest proceedings, it was revealed that at the time these deaths occurred, Mr. Brady held a position as a middle manager within the prison’s safety custody team. This team’s responsibilities included managing the arrival or transfer of new inmates into the Category B facility. He indicated that he and other personnel had voiced apprehensions regarding the transition from Serco to Sodexo in 2022, several months before the prison’s official takeover on February 16 of the subsequent year. He stated that at the time of the fatalities, difficulties existed in both recruiting and retaining personnel. Numerous experienced staff members had departed to work at other correctional facilities, join the police force, or pursue alternative employment, which contributed to “spiralling” problems. He quoted, “I thought [staffing levels] were becoming unsafe.” He added, “Things were being missed, things weren’t getting done.” Mr. Brady recounted that on the day Sodexo assumed control of the prison, his team’s office had half of its computers removed, and internet connectivity on other devices within the prison was “hit and miss.” He described the situation, stating, “It was left in a state of what I would class as disarray.” Following the deaths, he reported that a staff member was reduced to “floods of tears” after receiving criticism from a senior manager. He also highlighted “unrealistic” expectations placed on his team, who were often temporarily assigned to prison wings to compensate for staffing deficits. He commented, “I was pretty disgusted with that, because I knew how diligent and hard-working [the staff member] was.” Mr. Brady informed the inquest that he departed Lowdham Grange last year and currently holds a comparable position at HMP Fosse Way, a new correctional facility that commenced operations in Leicestershire in June of last year and is managed by Serco, the same company that previously operated Lowdham Grange. He indicated that the circumstances within the prison surrounding the takeover influenced his choice to leave. He stated, “I just didn’t see [things] ending well for me there.” He added, “I could see the red flags.” The inquest remains ongoing.