Prison chiefs have tightened security after an inmate climbed onto a roof and kept guards at bay for five-and-a-half hours.

The woman prisoner got onto a roof at Bullwood Hall prison, in Bullwood Approach, Hockley, on Tuesday because of a dispute about the canteen.

A crane was sent to the prison to help get the woman down, but guards eventually talked her down after spending the whole afternoon negotiating with her.

Officials at the Prison Service said security was not compromised during the incident, but an internal probe will be held to prevent anything similar reoccuring.

Prison Governor Tony Hassall, who took over from previous Governor Viv Hart in November 2001, said: "We hold a number of difficult prisoners but on the whole prison staff do an extremely good job in managing this group.

"Roof top incidents occur in prisons from time to time. Action has already been taken to limit further access to the roof area."

Published Friday, June 13, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo