A high security jail has been on lockdown for days leaving inmates confined to their cells. It has been claimed they are being brought one meal a day and they have been unable to shower or exercise for several days.
Families have been unable to visit HMP Manchester - known as Strangeways - since Monday June 6. It is understood they will not be allowed back inside the Category A prison until Friday June 10.
Relatives say they have been contacted by family members inside the prison who have said people are struggling with their mental health. They have also said tensions are rising at the jail.
The mother of one 19-year-old inmate told the Manchester Evening News she had been contacted by her son who told her of the issues they were facing. She said: "My son rang me last night to say the prisoner's mental health is deteriorating quite quickly. They say they haven't had showers and are being delivered one meal a day to their cell.
"He said they haven't had fresh air since last Wednesday. I know they are all in their for crimes but they do have human rights and this really isn't good for their mental health.
"Visits have been suspended from Monday until Friday apparently due to maintenance but my son and other prisoners have said they haven't seen any work happening at the prison.
"It's been bad enough but because of the bank holiday it will be about eight or nine days now without any visitors. He says prison officers have been going in to search people's cells."
In a post on Facebook, charity organisation Partners of Prisoners (POPS) said: "POPS have recently been informed that HMP Manchester will be closed for social visits 6th - 10th June for maintenance reasons. If this affects you and you require any support please get in touch with the POPS' Team who will be happy to help."
Another woman, whose partner is also an inmate, said she'd been told prisoners had been locked down for four days and also claimed they had not been able to shower or exercise. She claims when she rang the prison she could hear alarms going off in the background, and the sound of prisoners kicking their doors.
Another man, whose friend is serving time at the jail said: "They got a letter last week to say the prison was going into lockdown and it was expected to last a week might take longer. He has been behind his door for five days.
"The person I know said today will be his sixth day without a shower. The prison guards are bringing meals round to their cell and they are not even letting them out for dinner. He says it's doing his head in. He said his head is starting to go.
"Surely they have basic human rights and should be able to have a shower. They haven't even been let out to exercise. They have an in-cell phone system so he's been able to ring me but he can't leave his cell."
HM Prison Manchester is a high-security men's prison and is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service. It is still commonly referred to as Strangeways, which was its former official name.
A Prison Service spokesperson has now given the reason for the lockdown as being to crack down on illegal activity. They said: “An intelligence-led operation has taken place this week to crack down on the illegal contraband that puts prisoners and staff at risk. Visits were suspended temporarily but are expected to resume this weekend, while phone calls to family and friends have been available throughout.”
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