AN INMATE climbed on to the roof of the Portland Young Offender Institution.
The prisoner, dressed in green overalls, scrambled on to the roof of one of the buildings at the complex in the Grove yesterday afternoon.
Attempts by trained negotiators to coax him down were unsuccessful and the stand-off continued into the evening. The inmate was still on the roof at 9.30pm last night. He was seen gesturing and shouting as he balanced on a pitched roof.
One passer-by said he saw the man on the roof at 3.30pm and was amazed to see him still there in the evening.
“I don’t know what they’re doing to get him down. It could go on for some time,” said the eyewitness, who did not want to be named.
A tactical support team consisting of trained negotiators were deployed to try and talk the inmate down while ensuring his safety.
A Prison Service spokesman said last night: “There is an ongoing incident at HMYOI Portland.
“One prisoner gained access to the roof at 3.30pm.
“Specialist staff are at the scene working to bring the situation to a safe conclusion.”
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