Strangeways prisoner staged 12-hour protest on roof overnight

A prisoner from Strangeways held a 12-hour protest on the roof of the prison.

The unnamed man managed to escape and get onto the roof of HMP Manchester, formerly called ‘Strangeways’, on Wednesday, April 12th.

During his protest, the inmate sprayed ‘FREE IPPZ’ onto the rooftop — the phrase is believed to refer to The Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences which were abolished by the Legal Aid in 2012 after being branded ‘unjust’. 

It is believed there are almost 3,000 prisoners still serving time under the now defunct law in the UK, which sets a minimum but not a maximum term in prison.

Greater Manchester Police say they were informed at around 4.30pm on Wednesday evening as crowds of people, as well as emergency service vehicles, stood by.

Specialist negotiators were also at the scene as members of the public watched on and captured the stand-off on their mobile phones — though police warned the public to avoid the area.

The prison is one of the country’s largest Category A, high security jails with a capacity to hold 1,200 inmates. It is known for the rooftop riot which took place in 1990 and lasted for 25 days.

The riot began on April 1st when prisoners took control of the prison chapel, as the disorder quickly spread throughout most of the jail. The incarcerated were protesting prison conditions.

The riot, known as the biggest disturbance in British penal history, resulted in a public inquiry which caused a major reform in the UK prison system.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the man was brought down, and is believed to have come down willingly, at around 4am on Thursday, April 13th.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Staff safely resolved this incident and the prisoner will face punishment as disorder in prisons is not tolerated.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 4:30pm on Wednesday April 12th 2023, officers were called to a concern for welfare of a man on Southall Street.

“Road closures in and around Southall Street will remain in place until further notice. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.

“There is believed to be no wider threat to the public.”