UPDATED: Two prisoners are this morning (Wednesday) on the roof of the Parkhurst site of HMP Isle of Wight, leading to specialist mainland teams being drafted in.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the specialist teams are negotiating with the two inmates of the Category B prison who have managed to climb onto the roof of the building.
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are standing by with an aerial appliance outside the gates of the infamous prison, which is believed to currently house up to 500 prisoners.
It is unknown at this stage what time the incident began, however a statement from the MoJ with further information is expected after 09:00.
UPDATE @ 01:25 – A total of 6 vehicles are understood to have travelled to the Island via the Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth, arriving at the gates of Parkhurst at around 23:35.
A further vehicle has since arrived at the prison.
UPDATE @ 07:20 – The situation has been brought under control around 12 hours after it first began.
Island Echo understands the incident began at around 15:30 yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) and ended in the early hours of this morning. The mainland teams have now left the Island.
In a statement released this morning, a spokesperson for the MoJ has said:
“Two prisoners at HMP Isle of Wight gained access to the roof of a residential unit on Tuesday 28 July.
“Specially trained prison officers were deployed to bring them down safely. The incident was resolved at 00:45 on Wednesday with no injuries to prisoners or staff.”
Island Echo understands the two convicts came down from the roof peacefully.
