Stuart Maisner
BBC Live reporter

HMP Swaleside has a capacity of around 1,100 inmates serving prison terms of more than four years.

It has eight wings comprised of single cells. 

Swaleside was condemned by the HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) in July, which described it in a report as "dangerous", with levels of violence that were "far too high" and many incidents of a serious nature. 

The A wing of the prison houses the Open Academy, a study centre with a computer suite.

At the time of the HMIP report, inspectors said it was used by 50 of the 126 prisoners on the wing, who were enrolled on open and distance learning courses.   

A wing of HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent was taken over by about 60 inmates during a disturbance.

Former prison governor, John Podmore, says it's about the working regime of the prison.

Peter Whittlesea
BBC South East Today reporter

I've been reporting from outside HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey all morning.

This video has been removed for rights reasons.

John Podmore said on the Today programme that "prisons are undoubtedly dangerous" and suggested that fewer people should be locked up.

He said: "We should be sending fewer people to jail in absolute terms but we need to be looking at who we are locking up, why we are locking them up and how we deal with the way in which they are offending against society.

"We need a much more subtle approach than what we have at the moment."

Stuart Maisner
BBC Live reporter

Footage has emerged from inside HMP Swaleside after prisoners took control of a wing at the jail.

Image source, Thinkstock

Here's how the national newspapers are covering the disturbance at HMP Swaleside. 

Daily Mail, external: 'Swaleside is burning!': Inmates film carnage inside jail where 60 took control of a wing before a Tornado squad ended the FIFTH prison riot in two months.

The Sun, external: HMP Swaleside prison riot as 60 inmates take control of wing and set fires.

The Guardian, external: Riot officers called in to contain disturbance at Kent prison.

Daily Telegraph, external: HMP Swaleside: Wing reclaimed after 60 inmates take control in six-hour riot.

Daily Mirror, external: Prison guards end Swaleside riot after inmates take over entire wing of Kent jail.

Mike Rolfe, chairman of the Prison Officers Association, says many staff have not stuck at their jobs because of the challenging nature of working at HMP Swaleside.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

The Guardian's prison correspondent Eric Allison recently visited HMP Swaleside, to write an article on conditions inside.  

The Labour Shadow Justice Secretary, Richard Burgon MP, described the disturbance at HMP Swaleside as "yet more troubling news from our prisons".    

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Eric Allison, prison correspondent for The Guardian, says HMP Swaleside's suffered from staffing shortages.  

HMP Birmingham - 16 December 

Specialist riot squads were deployed after a riot broke out involving hundreds of inmates. The disturbance lasted more than 12 hours. 

HMP Bedford - 6 November

A riot saw up to 200 inmates go on the rampage, flooding the jail's gangways. 

HMP Lewes - 29 October

A national response unit had to be brought in to control the prisoners at the East Sussex jail during the incident which lasted for six hours.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Mike Rolfe, chairman of the Prison Officers Association, says HMP Swaleside is a difficult prison to work in.  

Stuart Maisner
BBC Live reporter

Good morning from your Kent Live team. We'll be bringing you updates on the disturbance at Swaleside Prison.

Part of a wing in the jail was taken over by about 60 inmates last night.

It was reclaimed in the early hours, according to the Prison Service. The picture below was reportedly taken inside the prison as the disturbance was taking place. You can read the full story here.

Image source, SWNS