Livingston MSP praise prison staff after riot at Addiewell

Jan 28 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

AN MSP has praised prison officers for the “difficult and dangerous” job they do after two were injured in a riot at Addiewell Prison.

Eight inmates went on the rampage at the prison, operated by private firm Kalyx, at around 7.15pm on Monday.

Emergency services were called to the jail after one prison officer was hurt when an inmate smashed a pool cue over his head. It is not known how the other officer was hurt. Both required hospital treatment before being discharged.

The prisoners involved barricaded themselves into the jail’s Lomond ‘B’ Hall and caused “minor” damage to water pipes.

It is believed the incident could have been sparked when prison staff intercepted a parcel of contraband to an inmate.

The rioters were brought under control by prison staff at around 9.15pm. And Livingston MSP Angela Constance praised the staff for the way they dealt with the situation.

“First and foremost, as always, I stand by our prison staff. I give them my full support as they do a very tough and, unfortunately at times, dangerous job.

“Although incidents like this are always regrettable we do have to put it into perspective.

“From my understanding of the situation there were eight inmates involved from a prison population of 700. When you deal with long-term prisoners inevitably you will have some hardcore elements who, without any shadow of a doubt, are dangerous. The reality is that incidents like this will happen but I think they have dealt with it admirably and courageously.”

A former chief inspector of prisons, Clive Fairweather, raised concerns that prisoners were taking advantage of lower staffing levels in privately-run jails.

Ms Constance said that while the SNP did not favour the establishment of private prisons, they had nevertheless inherited them.

She added: “The deal was done for Addiewell and we couldn’t back out of the contract after the election. While I have never been in favour of them for some of the reasons indicated by Clive Fairweather the staff there still deserve our unqualified support.

“I think where he is right is that we need to be vigilant to the fact they are given the proper training and resources to do their very difficult job.”

Kalyx manage HMP Addiewell for the Scottish Prison Service and their spokesman said: “We can confirm that a contained incident, involving a small number of prisoners, took place in one of the wings at HMP Addiewell on the evening of Monday, January 25 and was brought under control. There has been minor damage caused, mainly as a result of burst pipes. Two prison officers were injured during the incident and were treated at hospital but have now been discharged.”

The privately run prison has not been far from the headlines since it opened in December 2008.

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

In October, 20 inmates were involved in a six-hour disturbance causing £5000 of damage and leaving four prison officers and a guard injured.

And figures released in May showed the West Lothian jail was second in league tables for assaults by prisoners on each other and for attacks by prisoners on staff.