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HMP Ranby: Disturbance at 'crisis' prison | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Dozens of prisoners have taken part in a disturbance lasting several hours at a Nottinghamshire prison heavily criticised in a report this week. | |
The Ministry of Justice said 30 to 60 prisoners were involved in the incident, which began at 12:00 BST and lasted into the evening. | |
The Prison Officers Association said it began as 120 inmates on one wing at HMP Ranby refused to return to their cells. | The Prison Officers Association said it began as 120 inmates on one wing at HMP Ranby refused to return to their cells. |
There has been "minor damage" but no injuries, the MoJ said. | |
The jail was criticised in a report this week for high levels of violence. | |
Glyn Travis, assistant secretary of the Prison Officers' Association (POA), said Saturday's disturbance was a "serious incident" that "actively involved" 60 prisoners. He also said national resources had earlier been sent to the prison to establish a surrender plan. | |
BBC news correspondent Alison Freeman said that at about 20:00 BST, prison vans were seen leaving the site with prisoners inside who were banging on windows and cheering. | BBC news correspondent Alison Freeman said that at about 20:00 BST, prison vans were seen leaving the site with prisoners inside who were banging on windows and cheering. |
Ambulances have also been sent to the prison. | Ambulances have also been sent to the prison. |
'Chronic staff shortfalls' | 'Chronic staff shortfalls' |
Shortly after 19:30 BST, about 15 firefighters were seen preparing to go into the prison and local residents said they had heard chanting coming from the building during the afternoon. | Shortly after 19:30 BST, about 15 firefighters were seen preparing to go into the prison and local residents said they had heard chanting coming from the building during the afternoon. |
Earlier, police officers carrying shields and other equipment had been seen going into the prison. | Earlier, police officers carrying shields and other equipment had been seen going into the prison. |
A MoJ spokesman said the rest of the prison remained on a restricted regime and the mood was "calm". | |
A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons released earlier this week said the prison, near Worksop, was "in crisis". | A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons released earlier this week said the prison, near Worksop, was "in crisis". |
Four inmates killed themselves there in less than a year, it said. | Four inmates killed themselves there in less than a year, it said. |
Levels of violence were "higher than expected" and getting worse and procedures to deal with self harm were "poor", it said. | Levels of violence were "higher than expected" and getting worse and procedures to deal with self harm were "poor", it said. |
Prisoners once also climbed netting in a bid to be moved to another jail, inspectors found. | Prisoners once also climbed netting in a bid to be moved to another jail, inspectors found. |
But the report said it had faith in a new governor who had taken "decisive action" over the concerns. | But the report said it had faith in a new governor who had taken "decisive action" over the concerns. |
Mr Travis blamed Saturday's incident on "chronic staff shortfalls". | Mr Travis blamed Saturday's incident on "chronic staff shortfalls". |
He added: "Prisoners are saying, 'we're not dealing with this'. They will react." | He added: "Prisoners are saying, 'we're not dealing with this'. They will react." |
MP John Mann, whose Bassetlaw constituency includes the prison, said he had repeatedly warned ministers and prison officials that staff shortages and "dysfunctional" management would lead to "disaster". | MP John Mann, whose Bassetlaw constituency includes the prison, said he had repeatedly warned ministers and prison officials that staff shortages and "dysfunctional" management would lead to "disaster". |
"It is a prison where, for quite a time, it's been clear prisoners have been running the prison," he said. | "It is a prison where, for quite a time, it's been clear prisoners have been running the prison," he said. |
He welcomed the appointment of the new governor but said there had been too many changes at the top and the "only solution" was to recruit more staff. | He welcomed the appointment of the new governor but said there had been too many changes at the top and the "only solution" was to recruit more staff. |