This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-28504314
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
HMP Ranby: Disturbance at 'crisis' prison | 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. | 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 (MoJ) said the incident on Saturday at HMP Ranby had involved 30 to 60 prisoners, and caused "minor damage" but no injuries. | The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the incident on Saturday at HMP Ranby had involved 30 to 60 prisoners, and caused "minor damage" but no injuries. |
The Prison Officers' Association said it had started when 120 inmates on one wing refused to return to their cells. | The Prison Officers' Association said it had started when 120 inmates on one wing refused to return to their cells. |
The jail was criticised in a report this week for high levels of violence. | The jail was criticised in a report this week for high levels of violence. |
The incident began at about 12:00 BST and was not resolved until about 20:10 on Saturday evening. | |
Glyn Travis, assistant secretary of the Prison Officers' Association (POA), said it had been a "serious incident" that "actively involved" 60 prisoners. | |
He said 120 prisoners had refused to return to their cells and some had "taken control of a unit". During the disturbance, inmates had started a fire that was quickly brought under control, he added. | |
Mr Travis also said the response had involved national resources being sent to the prison to try 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 were also 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 in. | |
Following the disturbance, an MoJ statement on Saturday evening said: "The disturbance at HMP Ranby has ended safely. No staff or prisoners injured. Visits tomorrow will take place as normal." | |
Prison staff are working with Nottinghamshire Police to identify the ringleaders. | |
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 had killed themselves there in less than a year, it said. | Four inmates had 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. |