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HMP Oakwood prisoners stage roof-top protest | HMP Oakwood prisoners stage roof-top protest |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Three prisoners are holding a roof-top protest at HMP Oakwood, near Wolverhampton. | Three prisoners are holding a roof-top protest at HMP Oakwood, near Wolverhampton. |
A spokeswoman for G4S, which runs the prison near Wolverhampton, said: "We can confirm that an incident involving three prisoners is taking place at HMP Oakwood." | A spokeswoman for G4S, which runs the prison near Wolverhampton, said: "We can confirm that an incident involving three prisoners is taking place at HMP Oakwood." |
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has been alerted, she added. | The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has been alerted, she added. |
The Chief Inspector of Prisons has criticised the prison for failing to tackle drug issues. | The Chief Inspector of Prisons has criticised the prison for failing to tackle drug issues. |
The report published on Tuesday found inmates said it was easier to obtain drugs than soap at the prison. | The report published on Tuesday found inmates said it was easier to obtain drugs than soap at the prison. |
Speaking about the protest, Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said: "Our members at HMP Oakwood are working under very difficult conditions. | |
"Every establishment is under extreme pressure and I blame the Government for their reckless and dangerous policies of budget cuts to the prison service, which are too fast and much too deep." | |
'Unacceptably poor' | |
The Prison Ombudsman, Nigel Newcomen QC, has criticised the emergency response by HMP Oakwood prison staff when one of its inmates stopped breathing. | |
Edward Ham, 54, was declared dead in his cell in February. | Edward Ham, 54, was declared dead in his cell in February. |
Mr Newcomen said his treatment had been "unacceptably poor" and a summary of his report found staff could not access a defibrillator as it was locked away. | Mr Newcomen said his treatment had been "unacceptably poor" and a summary of his report found staff could not access a defibrillator as it was locked away. |
HMP Oakwood opened in April 2012 and houses about 1,600 inmates. | HMP Oakwood opened in April 2012 and houses about 1,600 inmates. |
In July it was one of two private prisons to receive the Ministry of Justice's lowest rating. | In July it was one of two private prisons to receive the Ministry of Justice's lowest rating. |
The MoJ declined to comment on Friday's protest. | The MoJ declined to comment on Friday's protest. |