HMP Stocken: Officer hurt in riot pool ball attack

20 January 2020

Police are investigating after a prison officer was injured during a seven-hour riot at HMP Stocken.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed violent disturbance broke out at the medium-security prison in Rutland at about 17:00 GMT on Saturday.

The Prison Officers' Association (POA) said one member of staff had been attacked with a pool ball in a sock.

Specially-trained prison officers regained full control of the jail shortly after midnight.

Damage assessed

The injured officer was escorted to hospital and is recovering at home from concussion, the POA said.

An association spokesman said intelligence had earlier been received a "disturbance" was planned and extra resources were put on the wing.

Eighteen prisoners have been transferred to other establishments and are the subject of a police investigation, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said.

The wing is being assessed for damage.

Mark Fairhurst, POA national chair, said he had written to Justice Secretary Robert Buckland requesting an urgent meeting to discuss staff safety.

There was a similar disturbance involving 60 prisoners at the jail in 2015.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "Our highly-skilled staff successfully resolved an incident on one wing at HMP Stocken.

"One officer was taken to hospital with a minor injury, and those responsible will be referred to the police."