Prison officers hurt in jail riot

12 April 2012

Four prison officers have been injured in violence involving Muslims and other inmates at a high security jail.

Fighting broke out at Durham's Frankland Jail after a cell was set alight and three prisoners attacked another inmate.

It is believed the cell was that of convicted al Qaida terrorist Kamel Bourgass, who is serving life for the murder of Special Branch detective Stephen Oake, 40. The Algerian, 34, escaped injury in the blaze.

A British prisoner was slashed across the face with a home-made knife in retaliation, and a mass brawl broke out between around 60 British and foreign inmates, it was reported.

Prison officers attempted to break up the brawl and several were injured as rioting inmates turned on them. One suffered a broken arm.

The officers were praised for their bravery in stopping the brawl turning into a full scale riot.

A Prison Service spokesman confirmed there had been a cell fire and fighting between prisoners at the jail, but played down reports of a riot.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "Detectives from this force are investigating a fracas among inmates at Frankland Prison, Durham early last Friday evening.

"During the disturbance one inmate was slashed across the face and another was punched and kicked. A number of prison officers who intervened were injured, one suffering a broken arm."

Prison Officers' Association spokesman Steve Cox told the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle: "There is an ongoing problem at Frankland borne out of terrorist prisoners being housed with other prisoners."

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