Prisoners stage rooftop protest at HMP Coldingley

AN investigation has begun after inmates at a prison in Bisley staged a nine-hour rooftop protest.

Three prisoners climbed on to the roof of HMP Coldingley at 3.45pm on Monday (August 27) to stage their noisy protest.

A police helicopter circled the prison as staff at the men's prison attempted to talk the trio down from the rooftop. The three inmates finally ended their protest at 1.25am the next day.

Nearby residents watched on as one of the inmates played a trumpet from the prison's rooftop.

Sarah-Jayne Cook was among residents who witnessed the protest.

She said: "There were just three of them up on the roof, they weren't shouting anything in particular. One of them had a trumpet so he kept playing that every now and again."

A Prison Service Spokesperson said: "An incident at HMP Coldingley involving three prisoners began at around 3:45pm on Monday, August 27. It was successfully resolved by negotiation at 1.25am on Tuesday, August 28.

"No staff or prisoners were injured and the perpetrators are now in segregation.

"The prison has launched an internal investigation."

The protest is the latest incident at the closed prison, which is classified category c where prisoners are not trusted in open prison conditions but are not deemed likely to escape.

In May, Graham Richard Farrell, 48, who was serving a 12-year sentence for armed robberies absconded while out on day release from the prison.