UK restores order after prison uprising

Birmingham, England: Prison officers regained control of inmates at a prison in Birmingham, England after rioting broke out among some 300 prisoners.
A ministry of Justice spokeswoman said officers have control of all four wings of the jail.
Prisoners took over of at least two wings of HMP Birmingham jail, authorities said, in the latest and most serious disturbance at a British prison this year.
The trouble erupted at the prison in central England, which can hold 1,450 male prisoners, forcing staff to withdraw, according to G4S, the private firm that runs the jail.
“Our teams withdrew following a disturbance and sealed two wings, which include some administrative offices,” said Jerry Pethericka, Managing Director for G4S custodial and detention services. “The disturbance has since spread to two further wings. All staff have been accounted for.”
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA), which represents jail staff, said the incident involved about 300 inmates.
“It’s understood a set of keys giving access to residential areas was taken from an officer and that offenders have since occupied some blocks and exercise facilities,” West Midlands Police said in statement.
G4S said extra officers had been sent to the jail near Birmingham city centre which was built in 1849. Specialist riot control officers and dog units had also been deployed to attempt to regain control.
The company said due to the severity of the incident, the Prison Service had taken charge of the operation.
“The situation is contained, the perimeter is secure and there is no risk to the public,” the Ministry of Justice said in a statement. “We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars,”
There have been several serious incidents in jails this year including an alleged murder, and last month prisoners took over parts of Bedford prison in central England before police and extra prison officers were drafted in to restore control.