Stand-off continues at Scots jail

Police have been stationed outside the prison

A stand-off is continuing between prisoners and the authorities at a Scottish maximum security prison.

Shotts Prison was plunged into chaos on Wednesday evening following an electrical storm that cut off supplies to the purpose-built facility.

Some prisoners refused to return to their cells, and it is believed a significant amount of damage has been done to the jail.

It is not clear whether or not the prisoners have made any demands.

Tom Fox: Inmates would not co-operate

Staff were forced to withdraw during the disturbance and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said it has been trying to resolve the situation.

The prison service said prisoners were already out of their cells when the power failed, dismissing claims that the failure had unlocked their cells.

Spokesman Tom Fox said that when the power cut happened the prisoners were in their free time and were out in the communal areas where they watch TV, play snooker or use the phone.

'Concerned about this'

Mr Fox said trouble flared at about 2100 BST when the lights were still out and they refused to go back into the cells.

He told reporters: "One thing we want to stress is they didn't get out.

"They were out when the power went off anyway.

"The electricity does not have anything to do with this, other than the prisoners took the opportunity to create a disturbance.

I believe that prison service negotiators have been trying to bring the situation under control

Strathclyde Police spokesman

"They were asked to go back in and the vast majority of prisoners did this but a few did not."

He added: "We are now talking with the remainder of those involved and asking them to return to the cells, and hope to have a swift conclusion to this."

Police officers have also been stationed outside the Lanarkshire prison as a precaution.

A spokesman said: "The whole incident is being dealt with by the Scottish Prison Service but there is a police presence outside the prison.

"I believe that prison service negotiators have been trying to bring the situation under control."

Hospital blackout

Karen Whitefield, Airdrie and Shotts Labour MSP, said she would be meeting prison authorities to discuss the problem.

She said: "I am concerned that this happened. Electrical storms obviously are there, but it is important that we have mechanisms in place so that if they do happen, then incidents like this don't occur.

Karen Whitefield: Seeking answers

"I will be asking to meet the governor and SPS staff as a matter of urgency to ensure that an incident like this doesn't happen again."

Some 600 homes were also temporarily left without power after the storm hit the area, causing problems at two hospitals.

Sited in countryside south of the M8 motorway near the village of Shotts, the prison houses some 500 long-term prisoners.

It was purpose-built in 1978 and caters for men serving sentences of four years or more who are transferred from other establishments and need to be kept in secure conditions.

However, it has had its share of problems in the past. On one occasion in the early 1990s a group of inmates trashed their cells while on another a prison officer was held hostage.