Police called to prison rooftop drama

PRISON bosses have tonight confirmed they are monitoring ongoing unrest amongst inmates at a Suffolk jail.

Details of the drama - which unfolded around 10.40am today at Warren Hill in Hollesley, near Woodbridge - have only just emerged.

It is believed the incident is still ongoing and at one stage two prisoners were on the roof of the prison.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We can confirm an incident of concerted indiscipline is currently taking place at HMYOI Warren Hill.

“The incident began at 10.40am. It is ongoing as of 7pm and involves two prisoners. No staff or prisoners have been injured.

“The Prison Service will conduct a full investigation into the circumstances of this incident. The police will also conduct an investigation.”

A spokesman for Suffolk police confirmed they were called to the scene following reports that four prisoners were on the roof.

However he said when officers arrived they found just two inmates on the roof - who were dealt with internally by Warren Hill staff.

“When we got there, there were two people on the roof who were dealt with by the Prison Intervention Team,” the spokesman said. “We were there in support but they were able to handle it by themselves.”

He said that it is now believed the two prisoners are in the teaching block of the prison.

He added that although no one appeared to be hurt some damage had been caused to the prison, which has the capacity to accommodate 222 inmates.

Warren Hill opened in 1982 to accommodate Category C young offenders in a closed environment.

It was part of Hollesley Bay Colony - which also included an open youth custody and detention centre.

In 1992 the open unit was adapted to accommodate adult category D offenders.

In April 2002 - though retaining some shared services - HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay became two separate prisons.

The open complex retained the name Hollesley Bay and the juvenile parts (Warren Hill and the Carlford Unit) became HMP & YOI Warren Hill.