Prison hit by two deaths and a suicide bid EXPLOSIVE SPARK TO JAIL RIOT
ANDY GARDNER SIMMERING tension over two deaths and a suicide attempt led to Friday’s prison riot.
The three incidents took place over just 24 hours in the lead up to the violence.
Hundreds of lags took over four wings, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds’ damage to HMP Birmingham.
Up to 300 officers and police in riot gear later took back control from prisoners who fought with paint and hoses.
Members of the antiriot “Tornado Team” were pictured coming out of the jail covered in paint.
A source told us: “The prison was on edge after two deaths and a suicide attempt.
“There was a feeling people were desperate.
“It just needed a spark to set the whole thing off.”
On December 7, an inmate tried to hang himself at the category B jail.
He had used a ligature tied around bars.
Warders and paramedics resuscitated him and he was taken to nearby City Hospital where he was put into an induced coma.
He is believed survived.
The next day, at 8.40am, a prisoner was found collapsed and unresponsive in his cell.
He was pronounced dead 45 minutes later and is believed to have died from natural causes.
In the afternoon, another inmate was found unconscious in a toilet in a prison education unit.
He was taken to hospital but died later.
The inmate had a medical condition and there were no suspicious circumstances.
Some of those who took part in Friday’s riot were reported to be high on the cannabis-like Spice and Black Mamba.
A source told us: “A notable number were out of it. They were on legal highs.”
In an attempt to defuse tension at the former Winson Green jail, 240 prisoners were shipped out yesterday.
And the Justice Secretary Liz Truss warned that those responsible would face punishment.
She said: “This was a serious situation and a thorough to have investigation will be carried out.
“Violence in our prisons will not be tolerated and those responsible will face the full force of the law.”
Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said: “Budget cuts have made our jails unmanageable and the service is now in crisis.
“I predict if Government does not listen to us they are playing Russian roulette with the safety of staff and prisoners.”