John
04-11-2009, 05:13 PM
All 400 inmates inside Ashwell prison, near the town of Oakham in Rutland, were thought to be engaging in acts of indiscipline, while police have ringed off area around the facility to protect the public, the Prison Officers Association (POA) said.
The jail holds low-risk "Category C" prisoners.
Television pictures showed black smoke rising from the prison, while fire engines, police riot vans, and an ambulance could be seen near the front entrance.
The Ministry of Justice said specialist prison officers had been called to Ashwell to deal with an incident of "concerted indiscipline".
POA national chairman Colin Moses said: "We have been warning of this type of disturbance for many months, but no one wants to listen.
"The drive for savings has led to fewer staff, a reduction in regime and offending behaviour programmes being cancelled. End result unhappy and bored prisoners."
The Easter holiday long weekend "appears to have sparked the trouble but the root cause is lack of investment in our prisons. If this is not addressed we believe this will be the first of many disturbances of 2009."
The jail holds low-risk "Category C" prisoners.
Television pictures showed black smoke rising from the prison, while fire engines, police riot vans, and an ambulance could be seen near the front entrance.
The Ministry of Justice said specialist prison officers had been called to Ashwell to deal with an incident of "concerted indiscipline".
POA national chairman Colin Moses said: "We have been warning of this type of disturbance for many months, but no one wants to listen.
"The drive for savings has led to fewer staff, a reduction in regime and offending behaviour programmes being cancelled. End result unhappy and bored prisoners."
The Easter holiday long weekend "appears to have sparked the trouble but the root cause is lack of investment in our prisons. If this is not addressed we believe this will be the first of many disturbances of 2009."