Inmates 'grab hostages' in five-hour Oakwood Prison protest
A wing at Oakwood Prison, which serves Shropshire, was 'taken over by inmates' who claimed to have taken staff hostage last night.
One prisoner, who contacted our sister paper the Express & Star as the trouble flared, said up to 40 inmates had used pool tables to barricade D wing and demanded McDonald's meals.
He also alleged that two members of staff had been taken hostage during last night's trouble at the £150 million prison, which lasted for five hours and allegedly saw a wing taken over.
Extra resources were brought in to contain the disorder, including 'tornado' squads of prison officers in riot gear, according to reports.
One inmate suffered minor injuries during the disorder but no staff were injured.
In an early morning phone call today, the prisoner, who asked not to be named, said: "There are 40 people who have barricaded themselves in with pool tables. They're making silly demands, they're just drunk.
"They've taken two prison staff hostage and there are loads of police here trying to get it under control, but they haven't."
G4S today refused to comment on what had happened because of an ongoing internal and police investigation. Police were seen outside the jail during the trouble.
A G4S spokesman confirmed there had been an 'incident' but refused to comment further.
Piers Zangana confirmed that an incident took place and said the situation had been 'contained' and that 'standard procedures to manage the incident' were being applied.
He later added: "This incident was resolved successfully at 2.10am.
"Police and internal investigations will now take place. It would be inappropriate to comment further until these have been completed."
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson last night said: "The incident is being dealt with solely by prison staff at this time. We are in touch with G4S and are being kept informed."
It is the latest in a long line of embarrassing incidents for Oakwood prison, after two rooftop protests took place within months last year. The Category C prison near Featherstone opened in April 2012. A series of reports have heavily criticised management and staff at the prison.
Last October three prisoners got onto the roof in a protest which lasted more than five hours. And a month later six prisoners managed to get on the roof of the prison in a seven-hour protest.
The latest trouble has prompted fresh concerns and calls for inmates who are involved in disorder to be refused parole.
