HMP Risley murder: Inmate stabbed to death in Warrington prison

Man, 23, arrested on suspicion of murder

Stephen O’Donnell, 33, attacked at HMP Risley in Warrington, Cheshire (Google Streetview)

A murder probe is underway after a UK prison inmate was stabbed to death.

Stephen O’Donnell, 33, was attacked at HMP Risley, in Warrington, Cheshire, on Tuesday evening.

Cheshire Police said he was rushed to Warrington General Hospital, where he later died.

O’Donnell’s family is being supported by specialist officers but he has not yet been formally identified.

A 23-year-old man is in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Officers were called to reports of an assault at the prison at about 7.41pm, police said.

A Prison Service spokesperson told The Independent: “HMP Risley prisoner Stephen O’Donnell was pronounced dead following an incident on Tuesday evening.

“Our condolences are with the friends and family of Mr O’Donnell and it would inappropriate to comment further while there is an ongoing police investigation.”

The male category C training and resettlement prison holds men who are serving short sentences or coming to the end of longer terms.

Risley Prison first opened as both a male and female remand centre in 1964, according to the Ministry of Justice official website.

In 1990 it changed to the male category C training prison it is today.

The prison can hold up to about 1,100 inmates.