The riot at Hull prison in 1976 left much of it wrecked and unusable. As Labour MP for the city, John Prescott carried out his own investigation.
He said he understood what it felt like to be among a group of men pushed together in a small space because he had been a ship’s steward. His conclusion was that harsh conditions, more solitary confinement and less time for the men out of their prison cells had led to the explosion of anger.
As a reporter on the Yorkshire Post, I was invited to read his report at the Prescotts’ home one Sunday. His wife, Pauline, saw us bent over the pages in her sitting room: “I can see you won’t have time for lunch, I’ll make you some bacon sandwiches.” John viewed those who caused the riot as people in difficult circumstances and was deeply empathetic.
