VIOLENT OUTBREAK

Feilding Star, Volume 9, Issue 2628, 25 January 1932, Page 8

VIOLENT OUTBREAK

LX DARTMOOR GAOL A PROLONGED FIGHT PRISONERS r. WARDERS HEAVY LIST OF CASTALTIES RUT NO DEATHS REPORTED A FORTNIGHT OF UNREST fAuat. and N.Z Cable) (Received .lan. 25, 2 p.m.) London, January 24. As ilie result of a violent outbreak in Dartmoor prison, following a fortnight’s unrest culminating in serious numinous S ccnes. from fit) to 7(1 convicts and a dozen warders are in the gaol hospital suffering from injuries. I L is believed no one was killed in the -ava.ge struggle between 300 to 400 convicts. The full staff of armed' warders, reinforced by hundreds ol policemen from tlie surrounding districts look part in the fighting, which raged for pwo hours. HOW TT REGAN A prisoner attempted to escape on January ID. Sonic prisoners attacked a.nd injured two warders on the 2,‘ird inst. Throughout yesterday and last night rumours prevailed that, a, demonstration would be attempted. Consequently the week end leave of all. warders was stopped. THEN THE CLIMAX The prison resounded with shouting at f> o’clock in the morning, the usual rising hour. The convicts yelled and hammered on the (loor s creating pandemonium. They threw their porridge over the wardor s who took the breakfast lo the eells. ASSEMBLER FOR CHURCH 1 ater The struggle began when the* prisoners paraded for church at 9 o’clock in the morning. Tlio convicts hurled themsclevs on the warders ad a group dashed to the Governor’s office in the yen tire of the buildings.

SET BUILDINGS ON FIRF. They snatched embers of coal from the fu'e .and ignited tiie building, the il.imi's being visible for miles around. The Governor telephoned to the Chief Constables at Exeter and Plymouth, whence police were rushed in motor ears and fire engines were also despatched, and the flames controlled. A POPULOUS iPLACE Meanwhile the convicts attempted to escape in all directions, but- armed warders prevented all but two getting away. The inmates of the prison numbered -1 P<) prisoners and 150 warders.