Claims bosses have 'lost control' of jail amid brawl

DENIAL THAT GUARDS BROUGHT IN UNDER 'OPERATION TORNADO'

- JOHN SCHEERHOUT

INMATES were involved in a brawl at a troubled prison.

Bosses at Forest Bank have launched an investigation and responded to claims they have 'lost control.

The fighting took place on two wings, C1 and A1, on Wednesday last week, the prison has confirmed. There was no serious injuries to either inmates or staff, according to the prison.

Bosses have denied claims the wings had to be locked down following the violence. An HMP Forest Bank spokesperson told the M.E.N.: "We can confirm that there were fights between prisoners on Wednesday on two wings.

These were unrelated and are being investigated. The prison is operating normally." A source at the prison told the M.E.N one female member of staff allegedly 'broke her wrist' during the trouble However, bosses insist nobody suffered serious injury during the violence.

The source also said managers had 'lost control' of the jail.

Prison bosses did not respond directly to this but denied a claim that they had to initiate Operation Tornado, where guards are brought in from elsewhere, usually to deal with riots and restore order.