An open prison is on fire after a New Year’s Day rampage by inmates thought to have been sparked by attempts to breathalyse them to check for contraband alcohol.
Windows were smashed and fires started in a number of buildings at Ford Prison near Arundel, West Sussex, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
It has been claimed only two prison officers and four support staff were on duty at the time to manage a prison population of up to 200 inmates.
Throughout the day, authorities struggled to regain control of the situation.
Mark Freeman, deputy general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said alcohol had been a concern at the open prison for some time, with dozens of empty bottles found in recent days.
He added that prisoners turned violent after they refused to be breathalysed.
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