A new report has shed some light on what it's like to be an inmate at Greater Manchester's largest prison. Forest Bank in Salford can hold up to 1,460 men.
It's classed as a 'reception and resettlement' prison, meaning it has a mix of minor offenders serving short-term sentences alongside some of the region's most dangerous criminals being held on remand while they await a court date.
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The privately-run category B prison in Agecroft was heavily criticised in a damning report last May, which found it was 'unable to fulfil its role successfully'. The latest inspection found conditions are improving, but said more could still be done to reduce levels of violence and self harm.
The report from the Independent Monitoring Board assessed Forest Bank during a number of visits between November 1, 2021 and October 31, 2022. It says levels of violence have started to fall since September, but are 'still too high'.
Incidents of self harm had dropped by about 20 per cent since the previous inspection and levels were now similar to other local prisons. But there were still 800 incidents of self-harm in the first 10 months of 2022 - including 130 in July alone.
"The operation of the new assessment, care in custody and teamwork case management process for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm was not good enough," the report said.
The prison also saw a spike in violence in the summer of 2022. That was down to what the report describes as a 'specific set of circumstances', but no further details are given.
During lockdown most inmates were locked up for 23 hours a day in 'cramped conditions' alongside another prisoner in cells originally designed for just one person. There was 'little to no purposeful activity' and prisoners had to eat their meals in their cells next to toilets which weren't screened off.
Staff tried to allow prisoners out for a shower, but those who tested positive for covid were often kept in isolation for as long as 14 days. But since the end of restrictions and following the refurbishment of the wings there has been a 'significant improvement' in living conditions, the report says.
But the prison has also seen a significant turnover of staff, with almost a quarter having worked there for less than a year. The prison has also had three new directors since November 2021, with the latest appointed in August last year.
The scale of the challenge faced by prison officers was highlighted by the fact that up to 30 new prisoners arrive daily, with around 60 per cent spending less than eight weeks in custody.
Security measures have also been stepped up with the increased use of sniffer dogs leading to a 'notable increase' in drugs and other contraband items being seized. The exercise yards have also been covered in 'much heavier duty netting' to prevent items such as phones, drugs and messages being thrown over the walls.
However when asked 40 per cent of prisoners said it was still 'easy' to get drugs inside the prison. That's lower than the 60% who replied with the same answer three years ago, but still higher than the 26% average for similar prisons.
The prison's six main wings have undergone 'significant refurbishment' over the last year, with cells repainted, windows replaced and other repairs carried out. But the showers were still found to be of a 'poor standard', 'lacked privacy' and were 'generally dirty'.
The kitchen's menus are changed every six months and there are now several daily options for vegetarians, vegans, and for religious and special dietary requirements. But the prison has also faced an unspecified pest problem, the report says, which resulted in its food hygiene rating being downgraded.
However this has now been eradicated and the rating restored. The gym, which had been closed during lockdown, is now fully operational and open an extra two evenings a week.
A new 'fitness hub', which will focus of activities such as yoga, relaxation and keep fit, is also due to open soon. Overall the report said 'significant improvements' had been made in the last four to five months.
Forest Bank director Trevor Shortt said: "We always welcome feedback from the IMB through their annual report. This year, we are pleased that the board acknowledges that significant improvements have been made regarding the prison regime and prisoners' living conditions.
"We are also happy that our ongoing efforts to reduce violence and keep prisoners and staff safe have been recognised."
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