Staff gap led to riot’

A SOLICITOR who defended an inmate involved in a jail riot said the unrest was due to a lack of staff.

Luke Needham, 30, had three years added to his sentence after unrest at HMP Erlestoke, Wilts, in June 2016. His solicitor Greg Foxsmith said at the time 17 staff were guarding more than 500 inmates.

“There were terrible funding cuts leading up to the disturbance. On the day, only 17 staff were on duty,” Mr Foxsmith said.

The riot caused £850,000 worth of damage and led to 120 lags being re-housed.

Needham was found guilty of prison mutiny.

The Ministry of Justice said more workers have been recruited at Erlestoke.