# HM Prison Forest Bank > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/HM_Prison_Forest_Bank > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/HM_Prison_Forest_Bank.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Forest_Bank > Source revision: 1335764278 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Private prison in Salford, England HM Prison Forest Bank Interactive map of Forest Bank Prison Location Swinton, Salford Status Operational Security class Adult Male/Category B Capacity 1,460 (May 2015) Opened January 2000 Former name HMP Forest Bank Managed by Sodexo Justice Services Director Trevor Short Website https://www.hmpforestbank.co.uk/home.html **Forest Bank Prison** is a [Category B](/source/Prison_security_categories_in_the_United_Kingdom) men's [private prison](/source/Private_prison), in the [Agecroft](/source/Agecroft) area of [Pendlebury](/source/Pendlebury) in [Salford](/source/Salford), [England](/source/England). The prison is currently operated by [Sodexo Justice Services](/source/Sodexo_Justice_Services). ## History ### Ownership Forest Bank Prison was constructed on the site of the former [Agecroft Power Station](/source/Agecroft_Power_Station). The 25-year design, construct, manage and finance contract was won by Kalyx (formerly UKDS) in 1997 and it opened in January 2000. In 2011, three former members of staff successfully sued Kalyx for unfair dismissal, and their treatment by the serving deputy director of the prison. Also in 2011, Kalyx changed their name for the second time, becoming known as [Sodexo Justice Services](/source/Sodexo_Justice_Services). ### Reports In November 2002, A report from [His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons](/source/His_Majesty's_Chief_Inspector_of_Prisons) praised the prison for its staff-prisoner relations, management structure, increased staffing levels and levels of association between inmates. However, the report also noted that many of the staff lacked experience and that there was insufficient purposeful activity, with fewer than half the prisoners engaged in meaningful work or education.[1] In December 2005, the prison was severely criticised by the [Chief Inspector of Prisons](/source/Chief_Inspector_of_Prisons) for high levels of violence and drug taking amongst inmates. The inspection found that, in one month alone, more than 2 kg of cannabis, 60 g of heroin, and 4.6 g of cocaine were found, and 40 per cent of compulsory drug tests were positive. The report also found a significant deterioration in safety for staff and inmates with routine intimidation of staff, prisoner assaults on other prisoners running at 25 a month, and staff turnover of 25 per cent a year. There had also been 2,500 prisoner discipline hearings in six months.[2] In November 2010, [HM Chief Inspector of Prisons](/source/HM_Chief_Inspector_of_Prisons), [Nick Hardwick](/source/Nick_Hardwick_(executive)) noted in his report on the prison that some young inmates had been tied up in their bed linen and beaten by other prisoners. The report also acknowledged that in other matters there were many signs of improvement.[3] A 2013 report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons noted that there was a need for more work, education and training to be made available, with "over 40% of prisoners ... locked up doing nothing during the working day". Since inspection in 2010, there had been "some deterioration in the quality of activity, and learning and skills provided".[4] In January 2023, the independent review of progress (IRP) report on Forest Bank Prison, conducted by [HM Chief Inspector of Prisons](/source/His_Majesty's_Chief_Inspector_of_Prisons), provides a comprehensive evaluation of the prison’s progress in addressing previous recommendations.[5] The report highlights significant issues such as safety, the ingress of drugs, and the effectiveness of purposeful activity and rehabilitation programmes. Although there have been improvements in some areas, such as the reduction of drug availability and enhancements in living conditions, challenges persist. For instance, the prison continues to struggle with high levels of violence and insufficient educational and vocational training for prisoners. Leadership changes have brought a renewed focus on improving safety and living conditions, yet the prison still faces considerable obstacles in fully realising its rehabilitative goals. ### Escapes and other offences In 2004, it emerged that a prison officer had been caught trying to sell [heroin](/source/Heroin) to inmates. The officer was caught with 147 wraps of the drug hidden in his shoes when he started his shift. The officer was jailed for the offence.[6] In March 2005, an inmate escaped while being taken to hospital in a taxi. The prisoner was handcuffed to two prison officers as they travelled from the prison to the nearby [Hope Hospital](/source/Salford_Royal_Hospital), when the taxi was stopped by two men who threatened the guards with a gun, forcing them to let the inmate free.[7] In February 2006, another inmate escaped while visiting hospital. The prisoner managed to escape from two prison guards, and fled from the [Manchester Royal Infirmary](/source/Manchester_Royal_Infirmary) wearing only a surgical gown.[8] In May 2010, another inmate, Michael O'Donnell, escaped. The inmate cut off a section of his own ear in order to gain release from the facility in an ambulance, albeit with three prison guards in attendance. The ambulance was stopped on Agecroft Road (A6044) by a gang of armed men, who released O'Donnell and made off.[9] O'Donnell was recaptured on 28 May 2010. He was sentenced to 9½ years on 29 May 2010, and was sent to [HMP Strangeways](/source/HMP_Strangeways). He was found hanged in his cell on Wednesday 23 June 2010.[10] On 10 February 2011, former Forest Bank Prison Nurse Leanne Cartledge, 23, was sentenced to four months in prison for taking a mobile phone into the prison to give to O'Donnell, with whom she was in a relationship, and which he used to help his escape. On 29 January 2017, a prisoner was found in his cell after a suspected drug overdose. The inmate is believed to have taken the potent synthetic drug [spice](/source/Spice_(drug)). He died the following day.[11] ### Chris Brown fans In May 2025, it was reported that a number of fans of the US singer [Chris Brown](/source/Chris_Brown) had applied for jobs as [custody officers](/source/Prison_officer) at the prison in the belief he was being held on remand there after he was arrested and charged with [GBH](/source/Grievous_bodily_harm). Brown was arrested at a hotel in Manchester on 15 May, and appeared before the city's magistrates' court, and was remanded to Forest Bank. Fans also wanted to write to Brown, and even visit him in prison.[12] ## Current role and facilities Forest Bank Prison is a Category B local prison although the majority of the inmates are Category C. The term *local* means that the prison holds people on [remand](/source/Detention_of_suspects) to the local courts as well as sentenced prisoners. Adult inmates at Forest Bank come from the courts in [Bolton](/source/Bolton), [Bury](/source/Bury%2C_Greater_Manchester), [Leigh](/source/Leigh%2C_Greater_Manchester) and [Wigan](/source/Wigan). Young offenders come from courts in [High Peak](/source/High_Peak%2C_Derbyshire), [Manchester](/source/Manchester), [Oldham](/source/Oldham), [Rochdale](/source/Rochdale), [Stockport](/source/Stockport), [Tameside](/source/Tameside) and [Trafford](/source/Trafford). The prison is divided into eight wings (A-H), a healthcare unit and a care and separation unit. Accommodation at the prison consists mostly of double cells, with some single cells. All of the cells are designed to be safer than previous prison designs, having almost no ligature points due to modularisation being the method of construction. The healthcare unit at Forest Bank has a 20-bed in-patient facility, with a 24-hour nursing care service. There is also a full-time Senior Medical Officer and a Locum Medical Officer at the prison. Activities at the prison include production workshops, training workshops and vocational training courses in motor mechanics, industrial cleaning, [catering](/source/Catering) and [welding](/source/Welding). There is a Visits Hall, with facilities including a [WRVS](/source/Royal_Voluntary_Service)-run canteen, and a play area for children aged 2–12 years. ## Notable inmates - [Peter Morrison](/source/Peter_Morrison_(English_footballer)), former footballer turned agent who was jailed for [causing death by dangerous driving](/source/Causing_death_by_dangerous_driving_(UK_statutory_offence)). ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Mixed report for private prison"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2516977.stm). *BBC News*. 27 November 2002. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Ford, Richard (21 December 2005). ["Private prison where 40% of prisoners are on drugs"](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article775046.ece). *The Times*.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Inmates suffer bed linen beatings"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-11714899). *BBC News*. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Inmates 'doing nothing during day'"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-21661954). *BBC News*. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["HMP Forest Bank – HM Inspectorate of Prisons"](https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_reports/hmp-forest-bank/). 20 February 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Prison officer sold inmates drugs"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_3747000/3747176.stm). *BBC News*. 15 October 2004.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Prisoner hunted after taxi escape"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/4313745.stm). *BBC News*. 3 March 2005. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Keeling, Neal (20 February 2006). ["Dangerman slips hospital escort"](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/205/205026_dangerman_slips_hospital_escort.html). *Manchester Evening News*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Prisoner cuts off ear in escape bid"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8657960.stm). *BBC News*. 3 May 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Ear-cut escapee hanged in prison"](https://www.bbc.com/news/10404201). *BBC News*. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Prisoner dies after 'drug overdose' at HMP Forest Bank in Salford](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/30/hmp-forest-bank-prisoner-dies-suspected-drug-overdose-spice-greater-manchester) *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)* 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Thompson, Sophie (17 May 2025). ["Women apply to be prison officers at jail where Chris Brown is being 'held' following arrest"](https://www.indy100.com/news/chris-brown-arrested-jail-hmp-forest-bank-manchester). The Independent. Retrieved 21 May 2025. ## External links - [Ministry of Justice pages on Forest Bank](http://www.justice.gov.uk/global/contacts/noms/prison-finder/forest-bank/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111013051332/http://www.justice.gov.uk/global/contacts/noms/prison-finder/forest-bank/) 13 October 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - [Information pages on Forest Bank from Sodexo Justice Services](http://uk.sodexo.com/uken/solutions/on-site/justice/forest-bank.asp) - [HMP Forest Bank - HM Inspectorate of Prisons Reports](http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/?s&location=forest-bank) [53°30′53″N 2°18′07″W / 53.51472°N 2.30194°W / 53.51472; -2.30194](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=HM_Prison_Forest_Bank¶ms=53_30_53_N_2_18_07_W_type:landmark) v t e Prisons in North West England Active Altcourse Buckley Hall Forest Bank Garth Haverigg Hindley Kirkham Lancaster Farms Liverpool Manchester Preston Risley Styal Thorn Cross Wymott Defunct Belle Vue Gaol Kennet Lancaster Castle North West England portal v t e Buildings and structures in the City of Salford, England Italics denote building under construction High-rises (over 100 metres) Cortland at Colliers Yard (153m) Anaconda Cut (131m) Bankside at Colliers Yard (129m) Affinity Living Riverview (110m) X1 Michigan Towers Building 3 (109m) Embankment Exchange (107m) Eda (101m) Highrises (over 50 metres) X1 Media City Tower 1 (85m) X1 Media City Tower 2 (85m) X1 Media City Tower 3 (85m) North Tower (80m) Salford Shopping Centre (75m) Peel House (55m) Notable lowrises Boothstown Mines Rescue Station Centenary Building Forest Bank Islington Mill Kersal Priory Lowry Hotel Ordsall Hall Peel Building Port Salford Public Baths Salford Civic Centre Salford Lads' Club Salford Museum and Art Gallery Salford Royal Hospital Salford Town Hall Threlfalls Brewery Wardley Hall Waterpark Hall Working Class Movement Library Worsley Court House Worsley Old Hall Places of worship Salford Cathedral Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation Monton Unitarian Church Sacred Trinity Church St Andrew's St Augustine's St Clement's St James' St Luke's St Mark's St Mary the Virgin, Eccles St Mary the Virgin, Ellenbrook St Paul's St Peter's St Philip's St Thomas' Transportation Anchorage Broadway Clifton Eccles Interchange Eccles Exchange Quay Harbour City Irlam Ladywell Langworthy Manchester Barton Aerodrome Moorside MediaCity UK Patricroft Salford Central Salford Crescent Salford Quays Swinton Walkden Weaste Shopping centres Salford Shopping Centre Swinton Square The Lowry Public houses Black Friar Coach and Horses, Weaste The Crescent The Crown Eagle Inn The Ellesmere The Grapes, Eccles King's Arms Lamb Hotel, Eccles The Maypole Punch Bowl Queen's Arms, Patricroft Royal Oak, Eccles White Horse, Swinton Sports and entertainment Broughton Cricket Club Ground The Cliff CorpAcq Stadium Manchester Tennis and Racquet Club Moor Lane Victoria Theatre The White Hotel Memorials Mark Addy Joseph Brotherton Charles Hallé Clifton Hall Colliery Disaster Oliver Heywood Bridges Albert Bridge Barton Road Swing Bridge Barton Swing Aqueduct Blackfriars Bridge Cadishead Viaduct Clifton Aqueduct Clifton Viaduct Irwell Railway bridge Media City Footbridge Palatine Bridge Salford Quays Bridge Southern Railway Viaduct Trinity Bridge Victoria Bridge Lists Castles Churches Grade I listed Grade II* listed Mills Monuments Schools Tallest Listed buildings in Eccles Irlam Salford Swinton and Pendlebury Worsley Authority control databases International VIAF National United States --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [HM Prison Forest Bank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Forest_Bank) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Forest_Bank?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.