Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Jane Hamilton & Sian Traynor

West Lothian prison wing locked down as officers suffer violent attack from inmate

Two prison officers were subject to an attack from an inmate while on shift at a prison in West Lothian.

Emergency services raced to HMP Addiewell after reports that a wing of the building had been locked down due to the violent assault.

Reported to have taken place in the Douglas A wing at around 5.15pm on Monday, the wing was closed off for around three hours until the situation was dispersed.

READ MORE - Edinburgh police with speed guns crack down on drivers in busy city streets

According to the Record, both officers had been punched by an unarmed prisoner, after they had began to argue with staff.

Following the attack, three ambulances were dispatched to HMP Addiewell, with a source claiming:

“The ­prisoner was arguing with the guard then launched an attack.

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

“It caused an uproar as the other prisoners found it entertaining. Alarms were going off and they locked down the wing.”

Douglas hall is believed to house some of Scotland’s most dangerous prisoners and those serving life.

Last year, The Record reported that whistleblowers claimed organised crime gangs are controlling the ­institution and staff are unable to stop illegal activities.

A spokesman for HMP Addiewell, which is run by Sodexo, said: “The police have been informed and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.