The Prison Service has reportedly made insufficient advances in implementing measures to prevent drones from delivering illicit drugs to one of its most problematic facilities, according to findings from a regulatory body.
Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons for England and Wales, indicated that HMP Manchester continues to be in a “fragile state” due to unresolved issues such as broken windows and inadequate security systems that allow contraband to reach inmate gangs.
In October 2024, Taylor issued an urgent notification urging the Ministry of Justice to take action within a month to address the rising levels of drug abuse and violence within the high-security prison.
The report, published on Tuesday, has raised alarms among prison reform advocates, who believe that government efforts to curb drug trafficking into the 123 prisons across England and Wales are falling short.
The government has allocated £10 million for anti-drone initiatives across the entire prison system.
Andrea Coomber, the chief executive of the Howard League, remarked, “This reflects the extreme pressures the prison system is under when a facility, which was placed under special measures 15 months ago, still cannot ensure the safety of those living and working there.”
Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the social justice charity Nacro, stated, “How can we expect rehabilitation to occur when drug use and violence are prevalent, compounded by chronic staff shortages that leave inmates with minimal meaningful engagement?”
“With nearly half of the incarcerated population using drugs and many spending up to 22 hours a day locked in their cells, the prospects for rehabilitation are bleak,” he added.
According to Taylor, the urgent notification protocol was activated in 2024 after inspectors found the category A and B prison, which accommodates around 550 male inmates, to be “in an appalling state.”
“The toxic mix of drug use, violence, an inexperienced and unmotivated staff, and a deficient operational regime meant the prison was failing at fundamental levels,” he noted.
Following an inspection earlier this year, some improvements were observed; however, the facility was still rated “poor” in terms of safety and meaningful activities.
Progress was described as “fragile,” hindered by delays in the installation of security windows and grilles intended to prevent drones from delivering drugs to inmates.
“Drones continue to transport significant amounts of drugs into the facility, resulting in heightened violence and instability,” Taylor explained.
“Ineffective leadership within the Prison Service and overly bureaucratic planning processes have led to only a few windows being replaced, allowing organized crime groups to operate without restraint and jeopardizing the safety of both inmates and staff,” he added.
Random drug test results showed no change in the number of positive cases, while incidents of self-harm continued to escalate. Taylor reported, “Since our last inspection, four inmates have taken their own lives, and the self-harm rate remains alarmingly high compared to similar institutions.”
The prison is failing to function effectively as a training facility, Taylor concluded, as staffing shortages have resulted in cancelled programs, leaving 44% of inmates unemployed.
He pointed out that drastic cuts to the education budget, exceeding 50%, have led to a significant reduction in teaching staff, and Ofsted has deemed the educational provision “inadequate.”
A representative from the Ministry of Justice responded, stating, “This prison operates under considerable strain, following a government that inherited a prison system in crisis.”
“We have initiated immediate measures to stabilize the system from the brink of collapse. While we appreciate the inspectors’ acknowledgment of the strong leadership currently in place at HMP Manchester, we are committed to taking urgent steps to eliminate drone deliveries, enhance security, and combat the influx of drugs that contribute to violence within the prison,” the spokesperson concluded.
