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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Beth Abbit

Investigation launched after another inmate dies at HMP Forest Bank

An investigation has been launched after another prisoner died at a Salford jail.

The inmate died on Wednesday while in custody at HMP Forest Bank, in Agecroft.

His family have been informed.

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He is among several prisoners to have died at the privately-run prison in recent years. They include Michael McDonagh , 27, who was found unresponsive in his cell in February 2019 and 63-year-old Raymond Lucy, who was found dead in his cell in July of that year.

Most recently, an inmate died at the prison in June of last year .

The independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will now investigate the most recent death.

HMP Forest Bank is a category B prison in Salford (MEN Media)

A spokesperson at HMP Forest Bank said: “We can confirm that a HMP Forest Bank prisoner died on 4 January 2023. The next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with the family.

"As with all deaths in custody, there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and therefore we are unable to comment further at this stage.”

The category B prison is operated by Sodexo, a private company, for the Ministry of Justice.

It holds up to 1,300 prisoners, primarily those accused of crimes who have been remanded in custody pending court appearances, as well as prisoners serving shorter jail sentences.

It is not known if the man who died this week was on remand or serving a sentence.

A damning report into the running of the jail was released by HM Inspectorate of Prisons last summer. Inspectors said the prison is 'unable to fulfil its role successfully' following an unannounced visit in February 2021.

It noted 'an ongoing problem with mice' and detailed 'cramped and overcrowded cells' with 1,354 prisoners, nearly 300 above its baseline capacity.

When the report was published last May, prison bosses insisted they are 'making steady progress'.

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