Shotts prison riot over as prisoners surrender peacefully

Published on Friday 5 April 2002 01:00

A TWO-DAY riot at Shotts maximum security prison ended peacefully today when the last of 200 prisoners surrendered.

Prisoners had gone on the rampage in two wings on Wednesday night when an electrical storm cut out power supplies in the area and opened their cell doors.

One of the halls involved in the trouble began operating normally yesterday after inmates there agreed to return to their cells.

But some prisoners on B Hall held out until just after 5am today when they agreed to call off their protest.

So far the organisation has refused to say how many inmates have been involved in the incident at Shotts, which houses 500 long-term prisoners.

A spokeswoman said: "The incident at Shotts Prison was concluded peacefully at 0508 hours this morning.

"Since the matter is subject to a police investigation, it is inappropriate for us to comment further at this time."

No staff are thought to have been injured and there have been no reports of any injuries to prisoners.

The emergency services were on stand-by outside the prison since the incident began.

Prisoners were understood to have been responsible for a number of small fires at the jail, which were described as being of "a minor nature", the Prison Service said.

Politicians yesterday called for an urgent inquiry into the incident to prevent it happening again at Shotts or other prisons across the country.

Karen Whitefield, Airdrie and Shotts Labour MSP, told how she hoped to meet the governor and Prison Service staff as a matter of urgency.

ScottishPower said the problem was caused by lightning striking the Newart Hill grid sub-system in Lanarkshire, but all power had since been restored.