Terrorist is attacked in fighting at North jail
Jul 3 2008 The Journal
FOUR prison officers were injured in violence between inmates and Muslim prisoners at a high-security jail. Fighting broke out at HMP Frankland in Durham after a cell was set alight and three prisoners attacked another inmate.
It is believed the cell was that of convicted al-Qaida terrorist Kamel Bourgass, who is serving life for the murder of Special Branch detective Stephen Oake, 40. The 34-year-old Algerian escaped injury in the blaze.
A British prisoner was slashed across the face with a home-made knife in retaliation, it was reported.
Prison officers attempted to break up the brawl and several were injured as fighting inmates turned on them. One suffered a broken arm.
The officers were praised for their bravery in stopping the brawl escalating.
A Prison Service spokeswoman confirmed there had been a cell fire and fighting between prisoners at the jail. She said the fight had not been a riot.
She said: “We can confirm that an incident took place at 12pm on June 27 in Frankland Prison.
“A fire was discovered in a cell. The incident was dealt with quickly, with no injuries to staff or prisoners. We can confirm an incident took place in Frankland prison at 5pm on Friday, June 27, when three prisoners assaulted another prisoner.
“Due to staff’s swift and courageous response, the incident was quickly resolved. Four members of staff and two prisoners required hospital treatment.
“The matter has been referred to the police for investigation.”
A Durham Police spokesman said: “Detectives from this force are investigating a fracas among inmates at Frankland Prison, Durham, early last Friday evening.
“During the disturbance, one inmate was slashed across the face and another was punched and kicked.
“A number of prison officers who intervened were injured, one suffering a broken arm.
“Our inquiries into the incident are yet to be completed.”
Prison Officers’ Association spokesman Steve Cox said: “There is an ongoing problem at Frankland borne out of terrorist prisoners being housed with other prisoners.”
