Drugs and TV blamed for worst jail riot in 25 years
Chaos at HMP Birmingham as inmates overpower G4S guards, snatch keys and go on the rampage
THE WORST prison riot since Strangeways more than 25 years ago left inmates in charge of four wings at the privately run HMP Birmingham.
Trouble erupted at the Victorian prison, which is operated by G4S, shortly after 9am when prisoners overpowered staff and managed to wrestle keys from them.
The disorder spread quickly amid reports that some of the ringleaders were attempting to reach the wing where vulnerable prisoners, including sex offenders, were being held.
Photographs taken inside the prison by inmates and then shared on social media showed some of the alleged rioters wearing prison officers’ uniforms and showing off sets of keys.
Last night, officers in riot gear from West Midlands’ operational support unit entered the prison. Beyond the walls, banging, barking dogs and firecrackers could be heard.
All four wings were secured around 12 hours after the disturbance broke out, sources said.
It was not clear what prompted the disturbance, but former prisoners claimed there were major problems with drugs and difficulties with staff.
But one report suggested trouble flared during a row over a lack of access to television. Alex Cavendish, a prison affairs academic, described it as “probably the most serious riot in a B category prison since Strangeways went up” in 1990. He said he had spoken to an inmate who described how they had begun by smashing lights, but violence had escalated quickly. Mr Cavendish said: “The officers were then – as they are instructed to do – trying to get as many prisoners locked in their cells as possible to contain it. “While one of the officers was putting a prisoner in the cell he was threatened with what appeared to be a used syringe.” Mr Cavendish said while this officer was distracted by the threat, “another inmate came up behind, snatched the keys from his belt and snapped the security chain”. The disturbance was initially contained in two wings, but by lunchtime had spread into other areas, with reports emerging that the rioters were in charge of the gymnasium, pharmacy and the security equipment store. HMP Birmingham was built in 1849 and can hold 1,450 adult remand and sentenced male prisoners. Jerry Petherick, managing director for G4S custodial and detention services, said: “All staff have been accounted for. “Additional officers have arrived on site and we have deployed canine units within the prison. West Midlands Police helicopter is also in attendance. We are working with colleagues across the service to bring this disturbance to a safe conclusion.”
A specialist riot squad known as the “Tornado Team” was deployed to quell the trouble, with support being sent from other prisons in the Midlands.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The Prison Service is managing the ongoing incident at HMP Birmingham. The situation is contained, the perimeter is secure and there is no risk to the public.
“Significant resources, including specialist teams, have been deployed and are at the scene to resolve this incident, working with West Midlands Police and other emergency services.”
The riot represents the third serious disturbance in English prisons in less than two months. On Nov 6, a riot at category B Bedford Prison saw up to 200 inmates go on the rampage, flooding the jail’s gangways.
Days earlier, on October 29, a national response unit had to be brought in to control prisoners during an incident at HMP Lewes in East Sussex.