MANCHESTER prison faces a crackdown after a damning inspection revealed “catastrophic levels” of drugs, organised crime, high rates of violence and a rat infestation.

The prison, previously known as Strangeways, was found by HM Inspectorate of Prisons to be in desperate need of improvement.

Following an urgent notification issued at the beginning of October, the prison service published an action plan today, with proposals including the installation of a new CCTV system and netting to prevent drones dropping contraband into the jail.

There are also plans to appoint specialist staff to support at-risk prisoners and train officers in managing violent offenders.

Problems with cleanliness, including a rodent infestation, will be addressed through the creation of a pest control strategy and an urgent repairs team.

Prison Officers Association national chairman Mark Fairhurst said the finding “replicates the crisis in our prisons throughout the country.”

He told the Morning Star: “Until the government invest in technology to eradicate drones, improve training for staff and support staff to deal with criminality within our prisons, the situation will not improve.

“Actions speak louder than words and it’s now time to invest in the prison service to address the scourge of drugs, violence, organised crime and [provide better] staff training.”

HMP Manchester, which houses category A and B prisoners, was the scene of the longest prison riot in British history, lasting from April 1 to April 25 1990.

Thousands of inmates have been released early from jails nationwide in the last two months as part of government plans to reduce overcrowding, which the Ministry of Justice said had pushed jails to the “point of collapse.”

Prisons and Probation Minister Lord Timpson said the report “made for dire reading” and exposed “the stark realities of the prison crisis [Labour] inherited.”