Skip to main content
Standards have ‘collapsed’ at rat infested HMP Manchester
A dog handler patrols the perimeter fence of HMP Manchester

STANDARDS have “collapsed” at Manchester prison, which is plagued by drugs, violence and rat infestations, inspectors found today.

The prison inspectorate warned HMP Manchester, formerly known as Strangeways, is in desperate need of improvement and issued an urgent notification letter to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood over the squalid conditions at the notorious jail.

They found a “steep rise” in self-harm and that violence is so rampant it has the highest rate of serious assaults in England and Wales.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
A demonstrator outside the Royal Courts of Justice, May 13, 2025
Britain / 13 May 2025
13 May 2025

Campaigners say there is clear evidence British weapons are contributing to war crimes as the government goes on trial to defend its continued supply of arms to Israel

Office workers and commuters walking through Canary Wharf in London during the morning rush hour
Workers' Rights / 13 May 2025
13 May 2025
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking during a press conference on the Immigration White Paper in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, May 12, 2025
Britain / 12 May 2025
12 May 2025

Unions and campaigners condemn Prime Minister's ‘far-right’ rhetoric and new immigration policies

Similar stories
A general view of HMP Pentonville, north London
Britain / 21 January 2025
21 January 2025
Drugs and drug-taking equipment
Britain / 7 November 2024
7 November 2024