Woman prison guard rushed to hospital after rioting breaks out

Published on Monday 12 October 2009 10:00

FOUR staff were injured and a woman guard rushed to hospital when rioting broke out at West Lothian's Addiewell prison.

Sources claimed the incident at Scotland's newest jail had been sparked by claims of brutality towards inmates.

The female guard was taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston with a head injury after the melee involving 20 prisoners.

By the time police attended to assist at the 65 million privately-run jail, the situation had been brought under control.

Special negotiators were also brought in to bring an end to the five-hour stand-off.

It is the second major riot there this year, following on from a similar event in February involving 40 inmates amid claims they had not been fed for two days.

On this occasion sources said the riot was a direct result of inmates standing against "beatings" from prison guards.

Those allegations are in contrast to the widely held view that the jail is relatively luxurious, with en suite cells, flat-screen televisions and satellite channels, which bosses said would help the rehabilitation of offenders.

It is understood the riot broke out in the Lomond B Hall when prisoners barricaded themselves in and fought with staff.

One prisoner, who contacted the Press straight after the incident, said the guards were struck with mops as part of the attack.

He said: "We just decided to fight back this time.

"A short-term inmate was hit by a member of staff and we all got involved. We attacked five of the staff with mop poles and drove them out of the hall.

"Staff are lifting their hands to the boys who are then moved to another prison and nothing is ever done about it. Enough is enough.

"Everyone reckons the Addiewell is cushy, but lads are getting doings in here. It's got to stop."

Recent figures have exposed Addiewell as the second worst in Scotland for inmate-on-inmate attacks, with only the Polmont young offenders facility having more recorded flashpoints.

In its first six months of operation, it also notched 19 assaults on staff.

A spokesman for prison operators Kalyx said: "We can confirm there has been an incident involving around 20 people which has been brought under control and is now being managed.

"This has taken place in one area of the hall. The rest of the prison is operating normally. At this stage however, we cannot really go into any more detail."

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service added: "The incident has been concluded. It involved a number of prisoners and was managed by staff themselves and concluded about 5:30pm.

"Damage has been minor and superficial. This will be subject to a police investigation. We take a very dim view of people behaving in this manner."