Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / LONDON
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

Friday, 4 May 2007, 16:44 GMT 17:44 UK

Prison staff hurt in disturbance

Belmarsh prison Four prison staff have been injured during an outbreak of violence at one of Britain's most secure facilities.

The incident at Belmarsh in south-east London was triggered by an inmate who refused to hand over a laptop computer, the Prison Service said.

Four members of staff needed hospital treatment - officials refused to say how many prisoners were involved or what time the incident happened.

Belmarsh holds some of Britain's most high-profile terror suspects.

Computer tampering

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "A prisoner was suspected of tampering with his Access To Justice laptop and refused to hand it over, punching a member of staff.

"An altercation ensued involving a member of staff and prisoners."

The official said the incident was brought quickly under control.

Some inmates are allowed computers to work on their legal cases but are denied internet access.

It was reported last September that videos of hostages being beheaded were found on a laptop used by radical preacher Abu Hamza, who is detained at Belmarsh.

Judges sometimes direct that prisoners must have access to a computer because CPS paperwork is only available in DVD format.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Reid announces new prisons plan (16 Feb 07 |  UK Politics )
Abu Hamza in 'jail food protest' (14 Mar 06 |  UK )
Belmarsh: A 'complex' jail (08 Mar 06 |  UK )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Belmarsh Prison
HM Prison Service
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©