HM Prison Bedford riot: Calm restored after 6 hours of chaos involving 200 inmates
Inmates posted videos on the internet from inside the prison walls
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 200-strong prison riot concluded late on Sunday night after inmates reportedly ripped up toilets and set off a series of fires.
Prisoners at HMP Bedford also allegedly grabbed batons from guards, stole medical gear, carried blades and shared videos on the internet.
Authorities said the chaos fizzled out and was “successfully resolved” by 11.30pm after emergency services were called.
Injuries included a man with a broken jaw, a second with chest pain and a third with back pain.
Inmates will be transferred to other jails throughout Monday after the Prison Officers Association (POA) said 200 were involved.
The Prison Service said: "Specially trained prison officers and staff from the emergency services have successfully resolved an incident involving a number of prisoners at HMP Bedford.
"An investigation into this incident will take place.
“We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars."
Bedfordshire Fire Service was called to the prison at around 5pm.
Footage showed inmates appearing to smash windows, wearing blue medical gloves and wearing medical bibs.
It has been reported there were loud bangs “like gunfire” heard and that prisoners ransacked guards’ officers during the six-hour incident.
Private chemical-treatment contractor trucks were seen waiting outside the Category B jail, opened in 1801 and holding around 500 inmates, along with police vehicles and dog units.
The riot came after the head of the POA Mike Rolfe warned British jails have been engulfed by a "bloodbath" and after government announced cash for 2,500 new prison officers.
Lewes prison, once described as "worse than Syria", also witnessed a riot last month.
Steve Gillan, POA general secretary, said: "The POA has been warning about this situation of violence in our prisons - it would appear it's coming to fruition.
"I just hope there's no prisoners or indeed prison officers injured in the violence."
An HMP inspection in May found that: "Arrangements for managing violent and bullying behaviour and supporting victims were weak."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments