Strangeways was 'locked down' after an inmate climbed onto the roof, the Manchester Evening News understands.
A prisoner at the high-security jail just outside Manchester city centre, officially known as HMP Manchester, clambered onto the roof and began a protest at around 4:30pm this evening (Wednesday) and at the time of writing has been up there for over six hours.
The M.E.N has now been told that immediately after the protest began a lockdown was initiated with all prisoners being returned to their cells, as is the procedure in such cases.
READ MORE: LIVE: Prisoner spotted on roof of Strangeways prison - latest updates
It is not clear if any restrictions are still in place. The Prison Service declined to comment on the issue. Earlier a spokesman said: "We are working with emergency services to bring the prisoner down safely."
Specialist negotiators have been deployed with police also at the scene and a cordon in place on the streets surrounding the prison where crowds have been gathering.
The as-yet unidentified prisoner daubed 'FREE IPPZ' across the roof of the jail, in an apparent dig at a now abolished court sanction titled Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences (IPP). He has also been repeatedly heard shouting 'free IPPs.'
He was earlier seen making a love heart gesture and wearing a makeshift poncho as the rain lashed down. In the last hour he has been seen sat close to a chimney drying his clothes on a metal pole.
The protest came to an end at around 4.30am Thursday morning.
Read more of today's headlines here
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