Inmates Claim Riot Compensation

Inmates who say they were traumatised by the Lincoln Prison riots are claiming damages from the Home Office.

The disturbance in the jail in October 2002 cost nearly £3m to repair and left one inmate dead.

The Home office has confirmed 45 prisoners have put in personal injury claims following the riot.

The cases are thought to relate to post-traumatic stress and physical injury. It is thought some prison officers could also lodge claims.

Prisoner Rampage

The Prison Officers' Association has said some members are looking to claim compensation but the Home office has not been able to confirm that.

The disturbance at Lincoln was said to be the worst since the Manchester Strangeways riot in 1990. In that case, seven prisoners reached out of court settlements with the Home office.

The trouble at Lincoln began when a group of prisoners assaulted an officer and took his keys.

It took more than eight hours to regain control of the jail after a number of inmates went on the rampage.

source: BBC News (Last Updated: Monday, 18 April, 2005)

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