HMP Manchester, historically known as Strangeways, was placed under special measures in October 2024 due to several critical issues highlighted during an inspection. The conditions found were alarming:
- Drug Problems: The prison was reported to have ‘catastrophic levels’ of illegal drugs. This was linked to organized crime, with drugs entering through various means like damaged security measures, showcasing a significant failure in security protocols.
- Violence and Safety: There were some of the highest rates of violence across the prison estate, contributing to a fundamentally unsafe environment. This included both violence among inmates and against staff, exacerbated by the drug trade within the prison.
- Living Conditions: The inspection described the facility as “filthy” with a chronic rodent infestation. Cells were in squalid conditions, with many windows broken, leading inmates to use mattress foam to block the cold, indicating neglect in maintenance and infrastructure.
Rehabilitation and Activities: Only 19% of prisoners were regularly involved in activities outside their cells, failing in its role as a training prison meant to offer education, training, and work opportunities, essential for rehabilitation and reintegration. - Staff and Management: Staff lacked confidence and capability, contributing to an unstable environment. The management’s response to these issues was criticized for being too slow, especially concerning repairs like fixing netting and windows to prevent drug ingress.
- Health and Safety: High rates of self-harm and drug-related deaths were noted, pointing towards severe mental health and substance abuse issues not adequately addressed by the current prison regime.
The Chief Inspector of Prisons issued an urgent notification, indicating a dire need for immediate government intervention and action plan due to the collapse in basic safety standards.
This situation at HMP Manchester reflects broader systemic issues within parts of the UK prison system, prompting calls for governmental attention to address challenges like drug infiltration, violence, and the general state of prison infrastructure and management.
The situation underscores a critical moment for prison reform, focusing on security, inmate welfare, and staff training to manage and mitigate such escalating problems.