Prisoners riot at Addiewell prison

Oct 15 2009 by Debbie Hall, West Lothian Courier

A POLICE investigation has been launched after inmates at Addiewell prison sparked a riot, injuring a guard.

About 20 inmates were involved in the six-hour disturbance at Scotland’s newest prison on Sunday, causing £5000 of damage.

It left four prison officers injured, along with the guard, who needed hospital treatment.

According to some reports, prisoners used mops to drive guards out of one of the prison halls.

The officer was taken to St John’s Hospital for treatment for a head injury at around 11.15am and was kept overnight as a precautionary measure.

Prison bosses said police attended the scene, but the riot was dealt with internally and was over by 5.30pm.

The prison is run by private firm Kalyx, who said they could not comment as a police investigation was ongoing.

A spokesman for the company said earlier this week: “Incidents of this type regrettably occur in all prisons, but there are robust procedures in place to deal with them should they arise.

“The incident is now subject to a police investigation so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

Sunday’s riot was the second to happen at the prison this year.

In February up to 40 inmates rioted in the Douglas Hall section of the prison, barricading themselves into the wing and smashing up equipment during the three-hour stand-off.

And in May, the Courier reported Addiewell had the second worst record for inmate attacks in a league table for both assaults by prisoners on each other and on members of staff.

MSP Bill Aitken, justice spokesman for the Conservatives, branded the jail a “soft touch” this week.