10 October 2003
An inquiry has been launched into a riot and arson at Lewes prison in Sussex on October 7 after claims that it was sparked by staff shortages.
Specially trained control and restraint staff were called to the jail after 25-30 prisoners were involved in a disturbance shortly before lights out.
One prison officer was injured by broken glass and firefighters were called in to extinguish fires lit by inmates. Some 20 were immediately transferred out of the prison.
Local MP Norman Baker said: 'Lewes, like many other prisons in the country, has too many prisoners, not enough staff and is a tinderbox waiting to be set alight.'
PFoct2003
