Legal News

A riot at a failing prison occurred over the weekend when 120 prisoners refused to return to their cells.

HMP Ranby in Nottinghamshire was criticised in a report published earlier last week – one of the criticism by a local MP was that the jail was run by the prisoners and that “high levels of violence” were frequent at the jail.

BBC News reports that on Saturday (26/07/14) at midday, between 30 and 60 prisoners rioted, causing minor damage at the prison.

Emergency crews attended, but no casualties were reported among prisoners or staff at HMP Ranby.

The incident was finally quelled at around 8pm on Saturday evening, when some prisoners were seen being removed from the prison.

The assistant secretary to the Prison Officers' Association (POA), Glyn Travis, said that around 60 prisoners were “actively involved” in the incident at HMP Ranby – including some prisoners taking control of a unit after the original group of 120 prisoners refused to return to their cells.

Mr Travis said that the incident was “serious” – and that “national resources” had been sent to the prison to try and establish a surrender plan for the inmates. During the incident, a fire had also been started at the prison, which was quickly brought under control, he added.

The cause of Saturday’s prisoner unrest was the result of “chronic staff shortages, said Mr Travis.

Staff shortages at prisons can mean prisoners spend long periods of time locked in their cells because of lack of staff supervision for exercise periods –
or perks such as access to educational and recreational facilities in prisons.

Prisoners locked in their cells without being able to spend time outside or phone family can become frustrated and even demoralised.

The report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons published last week revealed that in the last year, four prisoners at HMP Ranby had killed themselves in under a year.

Levels of violence at the jail were “higher than expected” and were getting worse, the report said – and measures to deal with incidents of self-harm among prisoners were described as “poor”.

Several prisoners desperate to “escape” to another prison had also climbed netting round the prison ground, the report revealed.

Local MP John Mann – whose constituency is Bassetlaw – told BBC News that he had “repeatedly” warned ministers and prison officials that “dysfunctional management” and staff shortages “would lead to disaster” at HMP Ranby.

Mr Mann said that – despite the appointment of a new governor – the only solution was to recruit more staff.

"It is a prison where – for quite a time – it's been clear prisoners have been running the prison," said Mr Mann.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise on prisoners’ rights in custody, including offering legal advice on sentencing appeals and conviction appeals, as well as Parole Board applications.

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and can also advise prisoners on issues such as physical abuse while in jail and access to services, including healthcare in prison and mental health services in prison.

For expert legal help with your rights as a prisoner contact Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.