Are you OK with cookies?

We use small files called ‘cookies’ on hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk. Some are essential to make the site work, some help us to understand how we can improve your experience, and some are set by third parties. You can choose to turn off the non-essential cookies. Which cookies are you happy for us to use?

Skip to content

Report published 24 July 2023

Published:

HMP Risley

Type of inspection: Full unannounced inspection

Dates of inspection: 12-27 April 2023

Summary of findings: HMP Risley is a mixed sex offender and general category C resettlement prison in Cheshire. Unstable leadership underpinned a myriad of problems, including inadequate public protection arrangements, higher than average violence among the general population, high levels of self-harm, and very poor time out of cell and access to education or employment. Living conditions had deteriorated since the last inspection, with some parts of the prison now beyond repair.

Points to note: Since the last inspection the proportion of men serving sentences for sexual offences had increased significantly and they now represented 40% of the population. However, there were still no accredited programmes for these prisoners, which was an astonishing failure by the prison service.

Read the report: HMP Risley