A CANDELIT vigil has been held for an inmate who was stabbed to death at Risley prison.

Stephen O’Donnell was killed after being stabbed in the chest in HMP Risley on the evening of Tuesday, January 22.

Yesterday, Sunday, campaigners held a candlelit vigil at the category C Warrington Road prison in memory of the 33-year-old.

Members of prison abolition groups Smash IPP, Manchester no Prisons and Pies Not Prisons gathered for the ceremony.

Campaigner George Grace said: “Stephen was supposed to be being cared for by HMP Risley – instead, his life was cut short.

“No mother is supposed to outlive her son, particularly when his death is so violent and when he is supposed to be safe.

“Our hope and intention is to continue shining a light on HMP Risley and the Ministry of Justice, highlighting the failures of this brutal and violent system.”

Warrington Guardian:

Cheshire Police have confirmed that a man suffered serious injuries during an assault in HMP Risley on the evening in question.

Mr O’Donnell was rushed to Warrington Hospital before being pronounced dead shortly after 7.45pm.

Adrisse Gray, 23, has since been charged with Mr O’Donnell’s murder and appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 22.

Flanked by two security officers in the dock and appearing with long and curly dark brown hair, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality.

Gray was remanded in custody and is now due to appear before Liverpool Crown Court this afternoon, Monday.

Smash IPP member Danny O'Brien added: “We believe that prison is a form of violence in itself.

“But as if being locked up for 23 hours a day wasn't bad enough, prisoners are at real risk of death and serious harm – particularly if they are BAME, LGBTQ or disabled and most especially if they are black.”

Tributes last week described Mr O’Donnell as a ‘lovely man who was adored by his family and friends’.

In a statement, Mr O’Donnell’s family said: “Our hearts are broken at the loss of our beloved Stephen – he was a lovely man who was adored by his family and friends.

“He didn’t deserve to be taken from us in this way, but nobody can take away the memories that we have of him which we will always treasure.

“We ask that our privacy be respected at this time while we come to terms with our terrible loss.”