HMP Low Newton

HMP Low Newton, located in County Durham, is the only all-female prison in the North East of England. It has a notable history of housing some of Britain’s most notorious inmates. The facility accommodates around 340 prisoners with diverse lodging options, including single and multi-occupancy cells, although none of the cells have telephones. Challenges faced by Low Newton include infrastructure issues such as roof leaks and decommissioning of a wing due to fire and health standards. Despite these, the prison has been adaptable, especially during the pandemic, providing amenities like DVD players to inmates for worship and course completion. The prison focuses on safety and welfare, offering ‘listener’ training to support peers and prioritizing mental health issues. Educational opportunities are extensive, with a range of functional and vocational skills training available. Inmates have reported feeling safe and commend the quality of food. The prison also runs temporary release programs to prepare inmates for reintegration into the community​