British govt concerned over prison riot

Kenneth Clarke, Britain Justice Secretary, has received warning over the insufficient number of staff at Ford Open Prison last month, when prisoners rioted.

Clarke has been told by the Independent Monitoring Board that the lack of staff over the night were unacceptable for the board. They said: “Our concerns regarding night staffing are reported regularly”.

The board also said: “Our main concerns are minimal staff on duty and junior staff, who are only trained to a low level, patrolling alone. Whilst there have only been minor incidents in the last year we do not consider that proper control is being exercised at night.”

The report added: “We are sceptical of the response received in the past that it must be adequate because there has not been a serious incident yet.”

The rebellion at the Ford prison started in the early hours of New Year’s Day, during which only two officers were on duty. This is where around half a thousand prisoners are held.

The staff retreated because of the violence and lack of support. Afterward specialist prison officers came in before the prison authorities regain control.

The prisoners damaged six blocks of their cells, a mail room, a gym, snooker and pool rooms, according to the, according to the SkyNews.

Addressing the commons, Clarke had said the riots at Ford prison gave lessons to the authorities.