Officers bid to control prison riot

Apr 11 2009

A prison where a riot broke out is still out of control, the Prisons Officers Association has said.

HMP Ashwell, near Oakham, Rutland, was cordoned off by specialist prison officers after an incident of "concerted indiscipline", according to the Ministry of Justice.

But POA general secretary Brian Caton said the prison is still out of control and it may take some time to sort out the problems.

He said around 80 inmates who either surrendered or had been captured were taken away to two separate prisons and five or six different fires had been started around the low-category C institution.

Mr Caton said: "The prison is still in a state of being retaken back at this stage.

"It's very very tactically done so that you are clearing and accounting for all the prisoners as you put them away.

"It does take a bit of time before you totally regain control."