CCTV and netting plan to prevent drugs being flown into Strangeways

NEW CCTV and netting is being introduced at Strangeways prison in a new ‘action plan’ to prevent a tide of drugs getting in via drones.

- JOHN SCHEERHOUT

It comes after a scathing report by the chief inspector of prisons last month exposed the ‘catastrophic’ level of illicit drugs available inside the prison, formally HMP Manchester, known as Strangeways.

Conditions inside the prison were exposed in one of the most shockingly brutal official exposes ever published by the watchdog. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor used words like ‘squalid’ and ‘filthy’ to describe conditions in the rat-infested prison - and ‘catastrophic’ for the torrent of illicit drugs available inside.

Now, the Ministry of Justice has revealed details of an action plan to improve security and conditions inside the ailing 156-year-old highsecurity prison, promising improved staff training and a ‘bespoke’ pest control plan because of its rat infestation.

Also promised is a new CCTV system and netting across the site to combat drones and clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars.