HMP Risley use of force 'unjustified'
- Published
The chief inspector of prisons said HMP Risley's drug problem had improved
The use of force at a Cheshire prison has become a cause for "particular concern", the chief inspector of prisons has said.
Nick Hardwick said the use of force was "not justified" in some incidents at HMP Risley.
He also said the prison, which holds 1,081 men near Warrington, was safer and cleaner than when it was last inspected in 2008.
He said that the prison was "transformed in many areas."
'Unjustified force'
Mr Hardwick found during his February inspection that the "managerial oversight of the use of force was inadequate".
He said: "Use of force records we examined raised a number of concerns. Many incidents were related to non-compliance with staff instructions and some records revealed little evidence that staff have attempted to de-escalate the situation before the use of force."
Mr Hardwick added: "In some cases the use of force could not be justified."
However the inspector also singled out the improvements in the prison's cleanliness, treatment of vulnerable prisoners and reduction in its drug problem.