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Tuesday 3 November 2026 Reporting on prisons and the criminal justice network

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Prison profile

HMP & YOI Low Newton

High securityReception / localWomen's prison Public (HMPPS)

Visiting information

Population267of 298 operational places (90%)

Last inspectedNovember 2025Full inspection, unannounced

Source: HM Inspectorate of Prisons report published 24 February 2026; visiting details from GOV.UK · last checked 29 October 2026

Latest inspection

At its last full inspection (November 2025; report published February 2026), inspectors found outcomes for women were reasonably good for purposeful activity; good for safety, respect and preparation for release. It held 267 women at the time, against an operational capacity of 298.

Read our story Read the inspection report

Safety

Good

Respect

Good

Purposeful activity

Reasonably good

Preparation for release

Good

Healthy prison tests: inspectors grade four areas from 1 (poor) to 4 (good).

Inspection history

February 2026 · Full inspectionSafety: good · Respect: good · Purposeful activity: reasonably good · Preparation for release: good Read our story
September 2021 · Full inspectionSafety: good · Respect: good · Purposeful activity: not sufficiently good · Rehabilitation and release planning: reasonably good Read our story

Our reporting

News

Low Newton nurse did not record woman’s warning before her death, ombudsman finds

Angela Montgomery told a prison nurse she would take her own life weeks before she died. An inquest jury found the failure to share her warning contributed to her death.

Prison News staff29 Sep 2026

News

HMP & YOI Low Newton sets the benchmark for women’s prisons, inspectors find

Inspectors rated the County Durham women's prison good on three tests, praising its culture and relationships, but raised concerns over acutely unwell women, use of force and homelessness.

Prison News staff24 Feb 2026

News

HMP Low Newton used as place of safety for acutely ill women, inspectors found in 2021

An inspection report on HMP & YOI Low Newton, published in September 2021, praised excellent care at the women's prison, but warned that acutely mentally unwell women were being sent there instead of to hospital.

Prison News staff7 Sep 2021

Visiting & families

Social visits: Tuesday, 1:45pm to 3:45pm; Thursday, 1:45pm to 3:45pm; Saturday, 1:45pm to 3:45pm; Sunday, 1:45pm to 3:45pm
Booking: Book online or by phone (0300 303 0632)
Parking: There is a visitor’s car park at the front of the prison but parking is limited during the week.
Nearest station: Train: Durham City is the nearest station. It’s a 10 to 15 minute walk to the bus stop, or taxis operate from both the station and bus stop.

Visiting details on GOV.UK

Always check with the prison before travelling.

At a glance

Function: A reception and resettlement prison and a high security prison for restricted status women prisoners (those considered to require specific management arrangements)
Region: North East

Know about & YOI Low Newton?

Staff, families and people held here can contact us securely and in confidence.

Contact us securely

Affected by anything you have read? Free, confidential support is available.

Samaritans 116 123 Prisoners’ Families Helpline 0808 808 2003 More help