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Fire service called to riot at Bedford prison Prisoners riot at Bedford jail over lockdowns 'caused by staff shortages'
(35 minutes later)
A riot has broken out among prisoners at Bedford jail over tensions sparked by staff shortages. A riot broke out on Sunday among prisoners at Bedford jail over tensions sparked by staff shortages.
Bedfordshire fire service was called to the category B prison at 5pm on Sunday afternoon following reports of a disturbance, and a fire truck remained on standby at the scene. Bedfordshire fire service was called to the category B prison at 5pm following reports of a disturbance. Bedfordshire police confirmed that they had been alerted to the situation, but would not say if riot police were dealing with the incident.
Bedfordshire police confirmed that they had been alerted to the situation, but would not say if riot police were dealing with the incident. The Prison Service said on Sunday night that the disturbance had been “successfully resolved”.
According to reports, prisoners have been frustrated over long periods of lockdown caused by chronic understaffing.According to reports, prisoners have been frustrated over long periods of lockdown caused by chronic understaffing.
The violence broke out in the afternoon, with prisoners reportedly grabbing batons from the guards and lighting small fires. After an inspection at the category B prison earlier this year it emerged that it is easier for the prisoners to get hold of illegal drugs than it was to obtain clothes or sheets.
It is believed prisoners were also ripping up toilets in a bid to flood the building as guards fled the scene. The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Peter Clarke, said standards at the prison had plummeted to “unacceptable levels”.
The report revealed that of 72 recommendations made by the previous inspector in 2014, the prison had failed to implement 60 of them.
Of particular concern to the inspector were the failings in inmate safety. Only three out of 17 recommendations in prison safety had been realised.
The report said: “Although the prison had good knowledge of where and when violent incidents were occurring, far too little was being done to analyse them and take effective action to reduce the violence.”
The riot broke out in the afternoon, with prisoners reportedly grabbing batons from the guards and lighting small fires. It is believed prisoners also ripped up toilets in a bid to flood the building as guards fled the scene. There were reports of loud bangs or explosions coming from inside the prison.
There were also reports of some prisoners raiding the medical safe, taking all the prison’s drug supplies.
Sources told the Press Association the riot had spread to more than one wing of the prison.Sources told the Press Association the riot had spread to more than one wing of the prison.
The Ministry of Justice said it had no reports of any prison officers being injured in the disturbance.The Ministry of Justice said it had no reports of any prison officers being injured in the disturbance.
An MoJ spokesman said: “Specialist staff are on site trying to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible. This is very much an ongoing incident.” A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars.”
There were also reports of loud bangs or explosions coming from inside the prison.
A prison service spokesperson said: “Specially trained prison staff are working with the emergency services to resolve an ongoing incident involving a number of prisoners at HMP Bedford.
“We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars.”
The shadow justice secretary, Richard Burgon, tweeted:The shadow justice secretary, Richard Burgon, tweeted:
More troubling news concerning our prisons. The Justice Secretary needs to do more urgently to tackle crisis https://t.co/lAsSLUAQRTMore troubling news concerning our prisons. The Justice Secretary needs to do more urgently to tackle crisis https://t.co/lAsSLUAQRT