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HMP Oakwood prisoners stage roof-top protest | HMP Oakwood prisoners stage roof-top protest |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Three prisoners have staged a roof-top protest at HMP Oakwood, near Wolverhampton. | |
A team of negotiators trained to work at height were called in to help end the demonstration, G4S, which runs the prison, said. | |
The prison regime was unaffected and there was no danger to staff, prisoners or the public, a spokeswoman said. | |
It comes after the Chief Inspector of Prisons 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. | |
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. | 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' | 'Unacceptably poor' |
The Prison Ombudsman, Nigel Newcomen QC, has also criticised the emergency response by HMP Oakwood prison staff, after one of its inmates stopped breathing. | |
Edward Ham, 54, was declared dead in his cell, in February. | |
Mr Newcomen said the way the inmate had been treated was "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. | |
The MoJ declined to comment on the protest. |