The Prison Officers' Association has released details of Saturday's (18 Jan) riot at HMP Stocken.

The association says that at 5pm prisoners 'rioted' on Mike Wing.

The incident started when five prisoners accessed the netting and a Prison Officer was attacked from behind by a prisoner wielding a pool ball in a sock.

Staff then withdrew from the wing for their own safety.

The injured officer was escorted to hospital and is recovering at home from concussion.

Tornado teams - specialist tactical response teams called in for prison riots - regained control in the early hours of Sunday morning and 18 prisoners were transferred to other establishments.

According to the Prison Officers' Association, before unlocking that morning management held a meeting with staff to discuss intelligence that had been received suggesting a disturbance was planned.

Extra staff resources were put on the wing prior to the riot breaking out.

Mark Fairhurst, National Chair of POA, said: "Having spoken to staff involved in this incident it is clear that if PAVA [incapacitant spray similar to pepper spray] had been carried the incident would never have escalated.

"Asking Prison Officers to do their job effectively is like asking a firefighter to quell a blaze without a hose and water.

"Staff should not be placed at risk daily due to a reluctance to roll out measures that could prevent these incidents occurring."

He added that he had written to the secretary of state Robert Buckland requesting an urgent meeting.

Leicestershire Police are now investigating the riot.

A force spokesman said: "Police were called at around 6.10pm on Saturday following a report of disorder involving a number of inmates.

"A prison officer was assaulted sustaining minor injuries.

"Enquiries are continuing into the incident."