Prisoners arm themselves, climb roof

Rioting inmates armed with bar bells and gardening tools have lit fires in a Victorian prison and are refusing to come down from a roof.

Around 30 prisoners began rioting at the Fulham Prison near Sale around 3.45pm, damaging prison property and climbing on to the roof.

Rioting inmates armed with bar bells and gardening tools have lit fires in a Victorian prison and are refusing to come down from a roof.

Around 30 prisoners began rioting at the Fulham Prison near Sale around 3.45pm, damaging prison property and climbing on to the roof.

The incident occurred after a group of prisoners refused to comply with officers’ directions to return to their cells, a Corrections Victoria spokesman said.

“The prison has been locked down and police and prison emergency services are still on the scene,” the spokesman said.

“At this stage there are reports of some damage to prison property. It appears no staff or prisoners were injured.”

A witness said she heard inmates shouting and screaming on the roof.

She said some of the prisoners had wrapped white T-shirts around their faces and were brandishing metal bars.
Prison officers have suffered smoke inhalation and Ambulance Victoria is on standby, unable to gain access to the site.

Fire trucks have also attended the scene and police are circling the perimeter of the prison.

Prisoners had lit three fires in garbage bins around the prison grounds, police said.

An ambulance spokesman said capsicum spray had been used in the prison.

There had not been any reports of injuries.

http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/prisoners-arm-themselves-climb-roof-20120118-1q66w.html

http://signalfire.org/