SCENES IN PRISON

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1933, Page 2

SCENES IN PRISON

OUTBURST AT STRANGEWAYS. . MANCHESTER, May 18. Extraordinary scenes in which there was hand-to-hand fighting between warders and prisoners took place in Strangeways Gaol, Manchester, yesterday. Details of tire affair, which had been shrouded in the greatest secrecy, were described . to-night by a discharged prisoner. The disturbances, which followed a protest against the quality of the food, assumed such alariping proportions that, it is Understood, a request was made to the Chief Constable to be prepared for -emergencies. < It is believed that as a result of the trouble several prisoners were treated in the prison hospital for

minor injuries. The discharged prisoner, describing the affair said there had been complaints about the food, recently, and yesterday’s disturbances was the culmination of earlier isolated protests. He said: “The midday meal was being served when I heard shouts, and suddenly saw two warders struggling on the ground. Other warders ran to their assistance, and for a time there was complete pandemonium, with many blows being exchanged. “I heard the crashing as if cell furniture was being broken, kicking on doors, and yelling. This lasted for some time until the violent prisoners were overpowered by other warders who had come to the scene.” .'Nothing was heardZby residents in the’, vicinity of the prison. Throughout'yesterday the closest secrecy was maiiitained at the prison, and special precautions were taken to prevent any renewal of the disturbance.