Inspectors referenced a 'concerning decline' and said organised crime gangs and the supply of drugs into the crumbling Victorian jail were 'clearly undermining every aspect of prison life.
In a catalogue of disturbing findings, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said HMP Manchester has the highest rate of serious assaults of any prison in the country.
Strangeways, he added, was 'fundamentally not safe' - both for prisoners and staff working there.
A 'chronic' rat infestation was found and despite the high levels of violence, the prison's CCTV system was said to be 'failing! "During our inspection, we observed rat droppings, but these were not cleaned up even after we told staff about them," said an interim report.
Prisoners were found to be ripping up foam from mattresses and pillows to stuff into cracked cell windows to keep out the cold.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) was criticised for taking too long to replace damaged netting over exercise areas targeted by drones dropping drugs and contraband over the walls. The report said the prison was 'plagued' by drones.
"Further fuelling the demand for drugs, men spent far too long locked in their cells with nothing to do," it added. "Although not overcrowded, leaders at every level had allowed living become squalid." conditions to HM Inspectorate of Prisons assessed the prison between September 17 and October 3, three years after its last inspection. As a result, HMP Manchester is now the eighth prison to be issued with an 'Urgent Notification' since November, 2022. It requires the government to develop a response and to develop a response action plan within 28 days.
A debrief from the published, but the inspection report won't be revealed in full until the new year.
An 'Urgent Notification' is a the Chief step Inspector takes when he believes concerns cannot wait that long to be acted on.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NEXT STOP... FIVE CLUBS FOR RASH
MARCUS Rashford has admitted he is ready to leave United.
Manager reveals Garna is 'upset' over derby snub
RUBEN Amorim has revealed Alejandro Garnacho is ‘a little bit upset with him’ over his omission from the United squad against City on Sunday.
Amorim: Rash should have told me privately he wanted to leave
UNITED head coach Ruben Amorim has told Marcus Rashford he should have told him privately that he wanted to leave the club.
'There is nothing to celebrate when United cash in on a hitherto one-club man, but they have to
LITTLE that Dan Ashworth said or did has aged well at United but one quote endures.
Erl looks stronger than ever regardless of City's struggles
IN another season, the City medical team would be giving themselves a pat on the back.
Say what you like about Walker but he always fronts up despite poor results
KYLE Walker deserves plenty of criticism for his form this season but some of it has been over the top.
CITY'S TEST AT VILLA IS HUGE
CITY players will have returned to training yesterday with both hope and dread.
Reds boss should look to the Etihad to see how to deal with wantaways...
UNITED should be riding high after their derby win at the Etihad Stadium.
Keely is the 'real deal' - Lord Coe
WORLD Athletics president Lord Coe is convinced “real deal” and newly-crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year Keely Hodgkinson has already ascended to British great status.
Roots of our festive traditions
BRINGING plants into the house to celebrate the festive season has long been part of our Christmas tradition.
