Manchester among most overcrowded prisons, Ministry of Justice data shows

HMP Manchester's single cells are overcrowded, new data shows Credit: Credit: Phil Noble/PA Archive/Press Association Images

HMP Manchester has been named as one of the most overcrowded prisons in England and Wales, data released today by the Howard League for Penal Reform shows.

Over 600 inmates at HMP Manchester were forced to share a cell designed for 1 person during the period 2012-13, according to data obtained from the Ministry of Justice.

In Preston, 642 inmates shared single cells, joining Manchester as one of the most overcrowded prisons in England and Wales last year.

The figures follow last week's report showing that prison staff numbers have fallen by 17% over the last four years.