Prison rioters must be punished, says South Staffordshire MP
Any prisoners found to have been involved in riots at a Staffordshire jail last year should have their sentence extended and face a ban on parole, according to an MP.
MP for South Staffordshire Gavin Williamson has written to the chief constable of Staffordshire Police Mike Cunningham six months after disorder at HMP Oakwood, a privately run facility in Featherstone near Wolverhampton.
Police say they are still investigating the matter. As yet no-one has been charged.
There were conflicting reports of what happened on January 5, amid claims that up to 20 inmates rioted at the £150 million super-prison which is run by security firm G4S.
It was claimed a wing of the prison was taken over by prisoners with a prison officers claiming it was a full scale riot.
One prisoner received minor injuries but no staff were hurt in the episode which began at 5pm and finished at 2am.
It has also emerged rioting prisoners were moved to other jails following the trouble.
Mr Williamson has now contacted the police chief for the latest on the inquiry into the disturbance.
He said: "I have written to the chief constable for an update into the investigation into the disorder at HMP Oakwood.
"I, like my constituents, were appalled about happened and I want an update at what stage the investigation is at.
"My expectancy is that any of the people who are responsible for rioting and are eligible for parole should no longer be considered for parole.
"It is my view that if found guilty their jail sentence should also be extended.
"I'm aware that it is not the job of the police to hand out sentences and that's for the court but I want to see evidence that the police and the CPS are working together and that the investigation is progressing."
Staffordshire Police said it hadn't received the letter and didn't wish to comment until it had seen it.
The 1,600 prisoner HMP Oakwood has seen a catalogue of problems since it opened in April 2012.
In the two months before the riot in January there had been two roof-top protests by prisoners at the facility.
It followed a damning report which revealed the prison was dubbed 'Jokewood' by prisoners who found it easier to obtain drugs than soap inside the jail.
More recently Mr Williamson called for police forces to charge prisons for call-outs after an Express & Star report found Staffordshire Police were called out 128 times in the year leading up to the riot.
