News
HMP Manchester defends music and lyric-writing course after press criticism
The prison says classes in music, including hip hop and rap, will draw men out of their cells and into the purposeful activity that inspectors have called for.
Prison profile
HMP Manchester
Category BHigh security Public (HMPPS)
Population576of 743 operational places (78%)
Last inspectedJanuary 2026Full inspection
Latest inspection
At its last full inspection (January 2026; report published April 2026), inspectors found outcomes for prisoners were poor for safety and purposeful activity; not sufficiently good for respect; reasonably good for preparation for release. It held 576 people at the time, against an operational capacity of 743.
Read our story Read the inspection report
Healthy prison tests: inspectors grade four areas from 1 (poor) to 4 (good).
Inspection history
- Safety: poor · Respect: not sufficiently good · Purposeful activity: poor · Preparation for release: reasonably good Read our story
- Safety: not sufficiently good · Respect: poor · Purposeful activity: poor · Preparation for release: reasonably good Read our story
- The Chief Inspector of Prisons formally told the Justice Secretary of urgent and significant concerns. The government must respond publicly within 28 days. Read our story
- Safety: not sufficiently good · Respect: reasonably good · Purposeful activity: not sufficiently good · Rehabilitation and release planning: not sufficiently good Read our story
Our reporting
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News
Three jailed over plot to fly drugs into HMP Manchester by drone
Police stopped a van carrying a large drone less than a mile from the prison, uncovering a conspiracy that involved people both inside and outside the jail.
News
Former HMP Manchester officer spared jail over relationship with prisoner
A judge suspended her sentence for misconduct in public office, citing her youth and asking why a 19-year-old had been sent to work in the high-security prison.
News
HMP Manchester monitors publish first annual report since 2022
The Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Manchester describes a prison in need of serious investment, with high violence, vermin and a slow anti-drone window scheme.