Probe after prisoners run riot

An investigation is under way at a jail today after prisoners ran amok, causing damage estimated at thousands of pounds.

Specially-trained staff were sent into the jail's A Wing to restore order after prison officers abandoned the area.

One warder was cut by broken glass and treated in hospital. Two offices were damaged, and furniture destroyed. Some 20 prisoners are being transferred today. Some could face criminal charges, the Prison Service said.

A spokeswoman said an internal investigation had been launched to determine what caused the trouble. Lewes is a category B jail and some of the inmates involved were remand prisoners awaiting trail and convicts awaiting sentence.

The Victorian-built jail has been criticised in recent years for a high suicide rate and drug problems.

But this year the Board of Visitors - the independent prison watchdog - reported huge improvements.