Probe over Oakwood prison roof protest
It took most of the day and saw negotiations carried out via a hydraulic platform but a second rooftop protest at a troubled Midlands prison was brought to an end after almost seven hours.
Bosses at HMP Oakwood, which serves Shropshire, have now launched an investigation into the drama.
Six prisoners, most of whom were seen clad in fluorescent orange jackets, managed to get onto the roof of the prison, which is close to the M54 motorway.
They were heard shouting down while staff from private firm G4S, which runs the jail, stood around the perimeter in an attempt to keep the area secure.
As well as using a hydraulic platform in what appeared to be an attempt to negotiate with the protesters a helicopter was also seen circling the site.
Today G4S spokeswoman Nicola Savage said: "We are carrying out an investigation so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."
The trouble at the South Staffordshire prison started at 11am yesterday. Bosses are yet to reveal how they resolved the drama at 5.45pm but no-one was injured and there was no damage done to the prison, in Featherstone. It comes after there was a similar protest involving three inmates at the site last month.
A damming report on the jail was also released last month which saw it criticised for problems with drug and alcohol use. It has also emerged that Oakwood has even been dubbed 'Jokewood' in prison circles due to its reputation.
Featherstone councillor Frank Beards-more said the term was even more apt after the latest drama. "It's very disappointing that this has happened again," he said. "It's a joke prison – 'Jokewood' is right. The security there isn't good enough and this has proved it."
