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SCMP Reporter

PRISON authorities last night regained control of Wymott jail in northern England following riots by more than 400 inmates.

  Most of the rioters in the medium security category prison surrendered as acrid smoke from burning buildings forced them out into the open. They had gone on the rampage at 1 am yesterday - taking the prison authorities completely by surprise.

  Officials estimated the inmates caused GBP40 million (about HK$472 million) in damage.

  The modern Lancashire prison houses 750 prisoners, many of them serious category B offenders who strictly should not be held there, according to the Prison Officers' Association.

  Inmates set fire to furniture and buildings when the riot broke out, climbed on to the roof and began breaking it up and at one stage even attempted a mass break out through the perimeter fence.

  More than 200 police officers from Merseyside, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and as far away as West Yorkshire were drafted in to help defeat the riot and none of the inmates escaped. Two inmates were injured.

  The prison was savaged in a report from Home Office Prison Inspectors last year who claimed widespread bullying and drug abuse and talked of a ''gangland culture'' existing in parts of the jail.

  Whole areas of the prison were said to be ''no-go'' zones.

  As the Director-General of the Prison Service, Derek Lewis, headed to the jail to begin an initial inquiry, Peter Hancock of the Prison Officers' Association claimed the riot had been caused by the high number of dangerous criminals who were kept at the jail, in a relatively liberal regime, when they should have been in more secure prisons.

  He blamed much of the rioting on undermanning, stressing that only seven prison officers were on duty throughout the whole jail at the time the riot broke out.

  Last year's critical report followed an unannounced visit by prison inspectors.

  Heroin was among drugs freely available, said the report, adding: ''It is hard to imagine a more corrupting environment within which to place an offender and one less likely to influence him towards non-delinquent activities.

   ''When we paid a night visit, we confirmed that inmates appeared to be in complete control behind secure gates. Prisoners appeared amazed that anyone should be trespassing on their territory.'' 



Jail chiefs back in control as rioters surrender