Prison officers injured in riot at Whitemoor jail in March

Six prison officers at Whitemoor prison in March were "rushed to hospital" following a riot at the high security jail.

The incident yesterday afternoon (Monday) allegedly involved 40 inmates on C wing and saw prison staff assaulted with pool cues and balls.

According to posts on Twitter the incident lasted around two hours before order was restored after an elite squad was deployed.

A Prison Officers Association branch secretary Tweeted: "Ten staff assaulted at Long Lartin over the weekend and six currently receiving hospital treatment after an incident at Whitemoor.

"We were told after our action in September that Pava would be rolled out across the prison estate as a matter of urgency. We are still waiting."

Prison officers staged a walk-out in the autumn over safety fears within the prison system. Pava is a type of pepper spray currently being trialled in prisons.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “Staff at HMP Whitemoor successfully resolved an incident on one wing of the prison this afternoon.

"We do not tolerate violence in our prisons and, where incidents like this occur, will always push for the strongest possible punishment for those involved.”

She added: "A small number of prison officers received medical treatment."