Rioting prisoners set fire to British jail

Inmates walk near burning buildings at the low security Ford Open Prison in Arundel, southern England. Trouble at the prison broke out when about 40 inmates began rioting, smashing windows and starting fires. Photo: Reuters
Inmates walk near burning buildings at the low security Ford Open Prison in Arundel, southern England. Trouble at the prison broke out when about 40 inmates began rioting, smashing windows and starting fires. Photo: Reuters
A phalanx of specialist prison officers escort fire fighters inside the perimeter fence at Ford Prison near Arundel, south England. Trouble at the prison broke out when about 40 inmates began rioting, smashing windows and starting fires. Photo: AP
Specialist prison officers line the perimeter fence to Ford Prison near Arundel, south England, after about 40 prisoners began a riot and set alight to parts of the open prison, according to the a Ministry of Justice official. Photo: AP
A police riot squad arrives at the low security Ford Open Prison in Arundel, southern England. Trouble at the prison broke out when about 40 inmates began rioting, smashing windows and starting fires. Photo: Reuters
Specialist prison officers escort firefighters at the Ford Open Prison near Arundel, south of London, after prisoners began a riot and set alight the low-security prison. Officials said about 40 inmates at the prison began the disturbance at around midnight New Year's Eve after some prisoners refused to take breath tests for alcohol. Photo: AP
A specialist prison officer dog handler patrols outside the perimeter fence of Ford Prison near Arundel, south England, as the gymnasium building burns in background after about 40 prisoners began a riot and set alight to parts of the open prison. Photo: AP
Inmates carry their possessions and walk from burning buildings at the low security Ford Open Prison, Arundel, Southern England. Trouble at the prison broke out when about 40 inmates began rioting, smashing windows and starting fires. Photo: Reuters
Inmates carry their possessions and walk from burning buildings at the low security Ford Open Prison, near Arundel, southern England. Trouble at the prison broke out when about 40 inmates began rioting, smashing windows and starting fires. Photo: Reuters
A police riot squad enters the low security Ford Open Prison with fire fighters as a building burns at rear in Arundel, southern England. Trouble at the prison broke out when about 40 inmates began rioting, smashing windows and starting fires. Photo: Reuters

Published Jan 2, 2011

Rioting prisoners torched buildings at a low-security British jail, an incident the prison guards' union said highlighted the risks of government plans to slash spending on the justice system. About 40 prisoners took part in rioting at Ford men's prison near Arundel, southern England, that began around midnight on New Year's Eve, the Prison Service said. Prisoners smashed windows and started fires, forcing staff to retreat. Twelve hours after the trouble began, prisoners set fire to an accommodation block and firefighters needed the protection of scores of prison officers in riot gear to enter the prison to put out the blaze.

Around 140 extra prison guards were brought in to quell the trouble and, by evening, authorities appeared to have the situation under control.