Soon after the jail opened, it emerged that one of Lowdham Grange's new prisoner custody officers had previously been employed as a security guard for the gangster Reggie Kray.

In August 2005, Lowdham Grange's Board of Visitors reported an increase in violent behaviour amongst inmates.

[7] In September 2009, Lowdham Grange Prison was awarded Level Four status by the National Offender Management Service for exceptional delivery.

[citation needed] Lowdham Grange is a Category B closed training prison for adult males serving both determinate and non-determinate sentences (IPP).

The prison offers workshops, education and training for inmates in areas such as bricklaying, plumbing, electronics, painting and decorating and industrial cleaning.

The most recent inspection, in 2015 decided staff use of force "was very high" and not invariably "fully justified or warranted".

The inspection also concluded "use of force was very high", inspectors were not convinced it "was always fully justified or warranted and not all incidents were de-escalated as quickly as they might have been".

Self-harm had risen and was higher than in similar prisons, there were, "unacceptable waiting times to see health professionals".

[8] The Independent Monitoring Board found, "levels of violence between prisoners and, on occasions towards staff were of concern".

Low staffing levels made it difficult to manage prisoners and, "the proportion of inexperienced staff contributed to challenging atmospheres on some wings".

[8] Frances Crook of the Howard League for Penal Reform said, "This has been a long hot summer, and it sounds like Lowdham Grange has problems.

[8] In August 2022, it was announced that following competitive tendering, from 16 February 2023, the prison would be operated by Sodexo Justice Services.