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.