Strangeways Prison, an iconic and historically significant site in Manchester, may be slated for relocation as part of ambitious plans to transform the surrounding area, according to the Manchester Evening News. The prison, officially known as HMP Manchester, has dominated Bury New Road’s skyline for 157 years and is recognised as one of Britain’s most infamous jails.

City leaders and the Ministry of Justice are reported to be in preliminary discussions about the prospect of moving the Victorian-era prison to facilitate large-scale redevelopment. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham recently remarked on the prison’s outdated location, stating, “It’s out of date to have a prison where it is. The clear preference to us would be to relocate the prison in the long term. That’s what we are putting to the government.”

Local MP and Cabinet Minister Lucy Powell also expressed support for regeneration efforts, highlighting the importance of finding alternatives for the prison to unlock the area’s potential: “Clearly one barrier to regenerating the area is the future of the prison itself. We clearly need prison spaces badly so finding an alternative will be important.”

The prison itself has faced ongoing challenges and criticism. A 2024 inspection labeled it “fundamentally not safe,” citing high levels of violence, drug use, and even a rat infestation. The prison’s troubled history includes the catastrophic 1990 riot, the longest and deadliest in British history, and more recent protests such as Stuart Horner’s 60-hour rooftop stand-off in 2015 and Joe Outlaw’s 2023 rooftop demonstration calling for reform of indeterminate sentences.

Strangeways was originally constructed in 1868 by Alfred Waterhouse and was designed as a star-shaped building intended for solitary confinement. The site also has a grim history as the location of 100 executions from 1879 until 1964.

The redevelopment plan, jointly conceived by Manchester and Salford councils, aims to introduce 7,000 new homes, workspace for 4,500 jobs, and a public park serving as a flood defence. Council leader Bev Craig identified the prison as “a key barrier to the regeneration of the area.” Although the new development is not contingent upon the prison’s closure, the belief is that relocating HMP Manchester would unlock economic and physical growth in the nearby urban fabric, currently burdened by a historical association that deters business investment.

Bury New Road, adjacent to the prison, was once plagued by illicit activity, earning the nickname “Counterfeit Street” for its proliferation of counterfeit goods. Police initiatives such as Operation Vulcan in 2022 have since resulted in the closure of numerous illegal shops, substantial confiscations of counterfeit merchandise, and significant reductions in violent crime and public disorder. Local business owners have acknowledged improvements, with one takeaway proprietor noting, “It’s very peaceful now” and a property landlord expressing support for the police crackdown efforts.

Despite these strides, city officials are keen to continue revitalising an area they view as constrained by the prison’s presence. An architect involved in government prison projects, Jaimie Johnstone MBE, contrasted Strangeways’ urban, congested setting with modern prison designs that emphasise rehabilitative environments. He referenced HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire, which benefits from green surroundings, good visitor access, and autonomy for inmates—features lacking at Strangeways.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service emphasised HMP Manchester’s role in public protection: “Public protection will always be the number one priority and HMP Manchester is essential to locking up dangerous offenders – keeping locals safe. We will continue to work with the local councils on its future.”

The prison’s relocation presents logistical challenges, as Strangeways provides 744 prison places, critical amid a system where nearly full capacity and early releases are commonplace. Alternatives would require new construction or expansion of existing facilities within Greater Manchester, which also hosts three other prisons: Hindley in Wigan, Forest Bank in Salford, and Buckley Hall in Rochdale. No formal plans regarding these options are yet confirmed.

The future of Strangeways is anticipated to be subject to further announcements, potentially coinciding with the government’s spending review expected in June. Council documents estimate a timeline of 10 to 15 years for any closure and relocation to take effect.

For now, Strangeways remains a towering symbol on Manchester’s cityscape, with its legacy and physical presence intertwined with the prospects for a major urban regeneration.

Source: Noah Wire Services