GB. Cheshire, Warrington. HM Prison Risley. Risley Remand Centre.

With writer Russell Miller, In 1981 Peter Marlow was given permission by the British Home office for the first time ever to photograph recognisable prisoners for a feature published in the London Sunday Times Magazine. Prisoners gave their consent with signed releases being filed at the Home Office.
Known in the 1980’s as ‘Grisly Risley’ by prisoners Risley opened as a Remand centre for male and female inmates in 1964. A category C prison opened on the site in 1990, alongside the remand centre. Risley ceased to hold females in April 1999, and in March 2000,

In September 2003, an inspection report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons criticised Risley Prison for its policy of mixing sex offenders with other inmates. The report said that sex offenders and other vulnerable inmates did not feel safe from attack by other inmates, and did not trust Prison Officers to protect them.

A further inspection report in July 2006 again highlighted issues over safety at Risley Prison. The inspection found that a third of inmates felt unsafe, with "a lack of visible staffing on wings when prisoners were unlocked from their cells." The report also highlighted concerns about the prisons anti-bullying, suicide and self-harm prevention work. However the report did praise Risley for reducing the quantity of drugs that were being smuggled into the prison.
In October 2008, another inspection report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons severely criticised Risley, stating that "a culture of hard drugs and violence remained rife at the prison"
The prison was inspected again in 2013. The report stated that the prison was improving but there were still some areas which needed attention. Prisoners felt safe and had received support for substance misuse but too many prisoners were locked in their cells during the day

Prisoners in cells in Liverpool Crown Court awaiting their court appearance.
1981.