Five prison staff were treated in hospital after a « major disturbance » at HMP Bedford, the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has said.
It said « riot squads, with the support of dog sections and local staff, regained control » after violence broke out on Sunday morning.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that « staff successfully resolved an incident » at the prison. However, it rejected the claim that « riot squads » were deployed.
The department said there was no threat to the wider public. It has not commented on whether prison staff were injured. However, prisons minister Rory Stewart said: « We do not tolerate violence against our staff – that’s why only this week we doubled sentences for those who assault them and why we will seek the prosecution of all those found to be involved in this incident. »
HMP Bedford is a Category B facility which holds more than 500 male prisoners.
Last week, the chief inspector of prisons triggered an « urgent notification » process at the prison after inspectors warned that inmates had effectively taken control of the facility.
In May the publicly-run prison was placed in special measures by the government because of safety concerns.
The POA said the disturbance demonstrated that « local governance has failed to protect POA members ». In a joint statement the national chair, Mark Fairhurst, and general secretary, Steve Gillan, said: « The POA are appalled that members’ concerns and rights to work in a violence-free workplace have once again been ignored. » They said they « fully expected » Mr Stewart to insist that prison and probation (HMPPS) directors listened to the POA and « immediately act to address our members’ concerns ».
The minister said nationally, 3,500 extra officers had been recruited and an extra £40m was being spent on safety, security and the fabric of the prison estate. »We need to reduce violence in our prisons – I am confident we will achieve that aim through taking this decisive action and working constructively with all parties moving forward, » he said.