Forest Bank prison and young offenders institution in Manchester is a "very good local prison" in spite of the pressure of significant population increases, according to an inspection report published earlier this week.

Although the population rose from 700 to 1,040 at the privately run local prison at the time of the inspection, chief inspector Anne Owers said relationships between staff and prisoners at Forest Bank were extremely positive.

"However, a major weakness was that there was insufficient purposeful activity, with fewer than half the prisoners engaged in meaningful work or education," Owers said.

See www.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk/hmipris