Riot jail inmates were overseen by just two prison officers from security firm
Just two prison officers were in charge of 59 prisoners, including one from Telford, when a riot broke out at HMP Oakwood that saw staff lose control for nine hours, the Shropshire Star can reveal.
Inmates caused damage estimated at £171,000 as they ran rampage at the £160 million super-jail, which takes prisoners from Shropshire. Security firm G4S, which runs the prison in Featherstone, and the Ministry of Justice say the staffing level on the day was "comparable" to those at public sector jails.
The prisoners took over two levels of Cedar wing at 5pm on January 4 last year, barricading themselves inside and putting glue in locks to prevent them from working.
Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said officers had to be highly trained. She said: "It is not just a case of number crunching, it depends of the environment. If you have got violence, bullying, attempted suicides and drug problems, which we know there have been at Oakwood, then you need staff with that expertise and knowledge. For there to be a riot with two officers covering 59 prisoners it makes you question what they were doing."
Prisoners threw TVs and even tried to tunnel out as they ran amok. Windows were smashed and booby-traps set, while a pool table was tipped over and large flat-screen TVs thrown down the stairs. A 62-strong riot team with dogs was needed to restore order.
Six prisoners were given sentences for their roles in the riot last week, including Daniel Jeffrey Rust, 23, from Telford.
A Prison Service spokesman said: "Staffing levels across the estate are strictly risk-assessed and we will always ensure that there are enough staff to deliver safe and effective prison regimes. Oakwood prison staffing levels are comparable to those in similar prisons in the public sector."
The prison, close to the M54 in Staffordshire, serves Shropshire and the West Midlands.
South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson said: "The issue here is that you have to make sure you have enough staff to respond quickly to disperse and prevent incidents such as this quickly. Obviously this did not happen in this case but we have to remember it was the atrocious and unforgivable behaviour of a number of prisoners as to why this violent disorder broke out."
