UPDATED: The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are in attendance at HMP Isle of Wight this afternoon (Tuesday).
2 pumping appliances and an aerial ladder appliance from Newport are on scene at Albany prison off Parkhurst Road, Newport.
It is thought fire crews were called to the scene, alongside a senior officer, at around 15:40.
Island Echo has approached the Ministry of Justice for a statement on the incident.
UPDATE @ 17:37 – Island Echo understands 2 prisoners have gained access to the roof of HMP Isle of Wight – Albany site.
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service remain on scene in a standby capacity whilst prison officers attempt to contain the situation and bring the incident to an end.
A Prison Service spokesperson has said:
“Staff at HMP Albany are working to resolve a minor incident involving two prisoners.
Article continues below this advertisement “It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
UPDATE @ 19:13 – The 2 prisoners remain on the roof this Tuesday evening, more than 4 hours since the incident began.
Officers from the prison service’s ‘Tornado’ team are working to resolve the situation. The team are a national tactical response group.
The lags are said to be sitting on the roof and occasionally pacing, but do not seem to be causing damage or injury.
UPDATE @ 21:30 – The prisoners are understood to still be situated on the roof tonight, however the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has now stood down from the incident.
It remains unclear as to why the prisoners have taken to the roof and how they managed to do so.
UPDATE @ 23:54 – An aerial ladder platform and a pumping appliance from Newport Fire Station are back in attendance at HMP Isle of Wight as Tuesday draws to a close.
The aerial platform has entered the grounds of the prison through the security gate.
A second aerial platform from Ryde was requested to attend, but was stood down shortly after being mobilised.
UPDATE WEDNESDAY – Overnight the 2 men were successfully brought down from the roof thanks to the assistance of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.
Firefighters were stood down from the incident by 03:45 – some 12 hours after the rooftop protest began.
