Risley (HM Prison)
| Location | Warrington, Cheshire |
|---|---|
| Security class | Adult Male/Category C |
| Population | 1115 (as of November 2006) |
| Opened | 1964 |
| Managed by | HM Prison Services |
| Governor | Pia Sinha |
| Website | Risley at justice.gov.uk |
HM Prison Risley is a Category C men's prison, located in the Risley area of Warrington, Cheshire, England. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.
Risley opened as a remand centre for male and female inmates in 1964. A category C prison opened on the site in 1990, alongside the remand centre. Risley ceased to hold females in April 1999, and in March 2000, Risley wholly re-roled to a category C prison for adult males.
In September 2003, an inspection report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons criticised Risley Prison for its policy of mixing sex offenders with other inmates. The report said that sex offenders and other vulnerable inmates did not feel safe from attack by other inmates, and did not trust Prison Officers to protect them.
A further inspection report in July 2006 again highlighted issues over safety at Risley Prison. The inspection found that a third of inmates felt unsafe, with "a lack of visible staffing on wings when prisoners were unlocked from their cells." The report also highlighted concerns about the prisons anti-bullying, suicide and self-harm prevention work. However the report did praise Risley for reducing the quantity of drugs that were being smuggled into the prison.
In October 2008, another inspection report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons severely criticised Risley, stating that "a culture of hard drugs and violence remained rife at the prison", according to the BBC. Of inmates suspected of taking drugs, more than 60% tested positive, while gangs were rampant, offering new members with £50 joining fees.
The prison was inspected again in 2013. The report stated that the prison was improving but there were still some areas which needed attention. Prisoners felt safe and had received support for substance misuse but too many prisoners were locked in their cells during the day, on average about a third of the population.
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