The Mancunian Way: Who runs the wings?

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Here's the Mancunian Way for today:

Hello,

If you’re reading this from your mobile phone I hope it’s still working properly after yesterday’s emergency alert test. I was in the pub when it was supposed to go off at 3pm on Sunday and it was interesting to hear the various devices beeping early, late, or not at all. “Suppose it’s death for me then,” said my friend as her phone sat silently on the table.

On to the news. Today we’ll be discussing an investigation into HMP Forest Bank by my colleague John Scheerhout. He’s been looking into conditions at the privately-run prison, which don’t seem to have changed much in the five years since we first investigated. The local MP has again called for things to be reviewed.

We’ll also be looking at temperature changes, voter apathy and the history of the Mancunian Way (the road not this newsletter). Let’s begin.

When I spoke to former inmates and prison guards about HMP Forest Bank in 2018, I was told about drugs being smuggled into the prison in tubs of protein powder and Pot Noodles and a five gallon container of hooch being found on a wing. One woman even told me she was targeted by a prisoner who tried to get her to smuggle items into prison for him after meeting him on the dating website Plenty of Fish.

At the time, prison officers described being underpaid and overworked with one even knocked unconscious during a ‘ferocious’ attack by an inmate. The complaints of staff followed convictions for prison officers who had themselves turned to crime.

Back then, Salford and Eccles