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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Bedford prison disturbance 'resolved' | Bedford prison disturbance 'resolved' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A "riot" at HMP Bedford, thought to involve 200 inmates, has been "successfully resolved", the Prison Service has said. | A "riot" at HMP Bedford, thought to involve 200 inmates, has been "successfully resolved", the Prison Service has said. |
| Scores of prisoners reportedly flooded the prison's gangways in chaotic scenes at about 17:00 GMT on Sunday. | Scores of prisoners reportedly flooded the prison's gangways in chaotic scenes at about 17:00 GMT on Sunday. |
| Police and specially-trained guards were called to the Category B prison amid reports of loud bangs or explosions coming from inside. | Police and specially-trained guards were called to the Category B prison amid reports of loud bangs or explosions coming from inside. |
| The prison service said no staff were hurt, but two prisoners were treated. | The prison service said no staff were hurt, but two prisoners were treated. |
| However, their injuries were not thought to be serious. | However, their injuries were not thought to be serious. |
| The Prison Service said the situation was brought under control after an operation that lasted more than six hours. | The Prison Service said the situation was brought under control after an operation that lasted more than six hours. |
| 'Punishment' vow | 'Punishment' vow |
| A Prison Service spokesman said: "Specially trained prison officers and staff from the emergency services have successfully resolved an incident involving a number of prisoners at HMP Bedford. | A Prison Service spokesman said: "Specially trained prison officers and staff from the emergency services have successfully resolved an incident involving a number of prisoners at HMP Bedford. |
| "An investigation into this incident will take place. We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars." | "An investigation into this incident will take place. We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars." |
| In a recent report on HMP Bedford, inmates claimed it was easier to get hold of drugs than clothes or bedding. | In a recent report on HMP Bedford, inmates claimed it was easier to get hold of drugs than clothes or bedding. |
| Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA), said the incident at HMP Bedford involved "concerted ill-discipline". | Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA), said the incident at HMP Bedford involved "concerted ill-discipline". |
| He said some guards had retreated to a "safe place" and teams of riot-trained officers had been deployed. | He said some guards had retreated to a "safe place" and teams of riot-trained officers had been deployed. |
| "There could be anything up to 200 prisoners involved. We don't know how many are out of the cells, some are still locked up," he added. | "There could be anything up to 200 prisoners involved. We don't know how many are out of the cells, some are still locked up," he added. |
| Mobile phone footage apparently from inside the prison was posted online, revealing chaotic scenes, with scores of prisoners out of their cells and in the prison's gangways, shouting and bellowing. | Mobile phone footage apparently from inside the prison was posted online, revealing chaotic scenes, with scores of prisoners out of their cells and in the prison's gangways, shouting and bellowing. |
| One video showed what appeared to be paper and furniture strewn across an atrium floor, although the footage could not immediately be verified. | One video showed what appeared to be paper and furniture strewn across an atrium floor, although the footage could not immediately be verified. |
| However, Mr Gillan said: "The POA has been warning about this situation of violence in our prisons - it would appear it's coming to fruition." | However, Mr Gillan said: "The POA has been warning about this situation of violence in our prisons - it would appear it's coming to fruition." |
| Drugs 'easy access' | |
| HM Inspectorate of Prisons also discovered incidents of self-harm had almost doubled from 67 to 121. | HM Inspectorate of Prisons also discovered incidents of self-harm had almost doubled from 67 to 121. |
| In a report on Bedford Prison published in September, almost twice the number of prisoners said it was "easy" to access drugs, compared to a previous inspection in February 2014. | In a report on Bedford Prison published in September, almost twice the number of prisoners said it was "easy" to access drugs, compared to a previous inspection in February 2014. |
| The number saying they had developed a drug problem while at the prison increased from 4% to 14%. | The number saying they had developed a drug problem while at the prison increased from 4% to 14%. |
| The BBC understands that the process of "safe unlocking" of HMP Bedford inmates by prison officers had been a "bone of contention" for some time, according to the POA. | The BBC understands that the process of "safe unlocking" of HMP Bedford inmates by prison officers had been a "bone of contention" for some time, according to the POA. |
| Initial reports suggest that staff had refused to unlock prisoners as they had concerns about what could happen. Prison sources said they were overruled by managers, our correspondent said. | Initial reports suggest that staff had refused to unlock prisoners as they had concerns about what could happen. Prison sources said they were overruled by managers, our correspondent said. |
| Last week, Justice Secretary Liz Truss unveiled a White Paper detailing £1.3bn investment in new prisons over the next five years, and plans for 2,100 extra officers, drug tests and more autonomy for governors. |