Prison protest was broken up by staff

Thu, 26 Apr 2012

It's emerged a protest at the Island's prison had to be broken up by staff.

Yesterday a group of inmates began what was called a peaceful protest over the smoking ban and had refused to be locked up in their cells.

After several hours specially trained staff went in to break up the protest and remove the prisoners involved, one by one.

The inmates were moved to the segregation unit and checked over by healthcare staff.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson says that afterwards two prisoners requested to be seen in hospital for minor injuries.

Mr Watterson says excessive force wasn't used and the incident was over with quickly.