Addiewell Prison erupts in riot as 70 set fires and throw missiles
Emergency vehicles outside Addiewell Prison
UP to 70 prisoners went on a riot at Addiewell Prison, firing snooker balls as missiles and setting fires.
The incident throughout yesterday afternoon saw a number of inmates take control of one wing of the West Lothian prison for more than three hours. The rampage sparked a full emergency response from police, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.
It is the latest of several riots at privately-run Addiewell, which has been criticised in the past for its “luxury” facilities including flatscreen televisions and en-suite showers.
Prisoners took control of the wing at around 4.30pm for more than three hours, before being surrounded.
Inmates used snooker balls as missiles and are reported to have set off multiple small fires before police regained control at around 7.45pm. There were no reported injuries to prisoners or staff.
Sources said it was a “serious” situation requiring a “full-scale response”.
One source said: “It was well out of control. Up to 70 prisoners were involved.”
A spokeswoman for Sodexo Justice Services, which runs the prison, last night said: “We can confirm that an incident has occurred at HMP Addiewell. There are no reported injuries.” She added that the riot had broken out in one wing, while the rest of the prison had continued to run as usual.
An internal investigation into the incident is due to take place. One explanation offered today was that the riot was sparked by a clampdown on the illegal trafficking of drugs into the jail over the festive period.
However, a spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service could not confirm this.
He said: “I’m not aware of why particular individuals decided to behave in a criminal manner, but that is something that will be investigated. It is not appropriate for me to speculate on what the reasons are.”
The prison has been blighted by riots and fights during the past two years. In early December, one inmate suffered serious cuts when he was attacked by a fellow prisoner. He was left with deep slashes to his chest, arms and face after being attacked with a weapon fashioned from a glass jar.
Three months earlier, six men who were part of a six-hour long disturbance were jailed. Two pleaded guilty to assaulting a prison officer, while one inmate was caught on CCTV manoeuvring a fridge and moving a pool table. Another pair struggled with prison officers and one prisoner was caught on CCTV putting wet news-paper over a camera.
The previous December, one prisoner threw scalding water over an inmate who was allegedly bullying him.
The jail was the scene of a major disturbance in October 2009 which saw seven prison officers assaulted and damage caused to one wing was estimated at around £5000. Four prisoners were later given jail sentences totalling 17 years.
Over the past 18 months officers have recorded around 37 prisoner-on-staff assaults and 75 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults at the jail.
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Comments
There are 11 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Lies and stats
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 10:50 PMA labour administration private prison has a riot. PFI and privatisation is such a wonderful idea.
james(1)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 07:50 PMIf we cannot control drugs getting into a Prison then serious questions need to be asked. Such as why are the staff not doing their jobs properly. Why are we letting the tail wag the dog. Those that riot should be moved to the most basic prison accommodation. Still when you look at the problems they have created and damage they have done it will no doubt be my fault? After all I work, pay my taxes and don't claim any benefits so you can see how I'm to blame?
mordor
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 05:42 PMDo not replace what they break and then they will learn not to break things...We are but a speck of dust in an infinite universe-these people obviously need to learn that.
The Genuine Mario Antionette
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 02:59 PMWe shouldn't read too much into this - MacAskill will forgive the rioters & soon be signing off their early release papers, such is the SNP justice system in Scotland.
Simonsaid
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 02:02 PMI believed that luxuries and drugs are what you got when you got out of prison - silly me
forsyth.bill1
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 02:00 PMI cannot afford an aeriel for my television and as for a snooker table forget it,every month is a constant chore of paying bills and trying to save enough to keep the wolf from the door,sorry for the whinge,yet apparently at camp Addiewell the inmates can wreck expensive gear in the knowledge it will be replaced free of charge.
A Friend of Fernando Poo
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 01:59 PM"He said: “I’m not aware of why particular individuals decided to behave in a criminal manner, "______________________________________________________I'm going to go out on a limb here and make the guess that it's because they're criminals.
Simonsaid
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 01:59 PMEH -- A WID PUT THEM IN PRISON -- THEY ARE IN PRISON --EH -- A DINAE KEN WHIT TAE SAY THEN
A Friend of Fernando Poo
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 01:58 PM#2: Yup, if they're going to use them as weapons, take away the Snooker balls. Also if they're gpoing to light fires, take away their matches and lighters. It's like kids: they have to learn consequences.
Tightfisted
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 12:55 PMI trust then that snooker tables will be permanently withdrawn from this holiday camp forthwith? Aye Right !!! When WILL we learn !!
CauchyRiemann
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 12:41 PMDespite excellent conditions there is a riot. Lots of positive reinforcements and initiatives to integrate are useless if a system has no real consequences to thug behaviour. An extreme liberalism has removed this and just accentuated 'positive reinforcements'. I'm all for positive reinforcements, but I'm also for birching thugs who think they can do whatever they wish and the world revolves around them
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