Prisoners barricaded themselves into part of Chelmsford prison during an eight-hour disturbance.
Officers there had to put out several small fires, believed to have been started deliberately, while four fire engines stood by in case they were needed.
The trouble, involving ten young offenders, started at about 8pm yesterday and was finally resolved by prison officers at 3.45am today.
It coincided with a peaceful protest outside the prison gates, believed to be over a jailed inmate.
A Home Office spokesman said of the trouble inside the jail: "There were no injuries to prisoners or staff and the rest of the prison remained peaceful throughout.
"There will be an internal prison service investigation into the incident."
He would not comment on the cause of the problems.
For more on this story see today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, July 31, 2003
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