§ 105. Mr. Montgomery Hydeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent disturbances at Dartmoor Prison.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerOn Monday, 25th November, 130 prisoners complained to the Governor of Dartmoor about the food. On Wednesday, 27th November, this complaint was repeated to a member of the Board of Visitors and the complainers were told that the matter was being investigated. On Friday, 29th November, and on Monday and Tuesday, 2nd and 3rd December, there was a mass refusal of the midday meal. Three prisoners who had eaten their dinner were assaulted, a missile was thrown at an officer and a small fire was discovered in the mat shop. The suspected instigators were segregated and all prisoners kept in their cells (except for visits and exercise) pending further inquiry and a search of the prison. The search revealed a number of hidden prohibited articles, including ropes, incendiary materials and improvised weapons, mainly "coshes" and knives.
By Monday, 9th December, only nine men refused their dinner, and on Tuesday normal working was restored. Since then the prison has been quiet.
The complaints about food have been investigated and some adjustments are being made. I am satisfied, however, that 164W the quality of the food was not the cause of the demonstrations, and that the trouble was due to a group of recalcitrant prisoners who intimidated the rest into taking part. A number of them have been dispersed to local prisons.