Six-Hour Riot Erupts at HMP Swaleside
A brutal six-hour prison riot erupted at HMP Swaleside on Sunday, 3 December 2017, before specialist teams wrestled control back from violent inmates. The chaos began around 10am after a fight broke out between prisoners who refused to return to their cells when ordered.
Inmates Barricade Wing, Wreck Property, and Spark Fire
Prison staff contained the rowdy inmates in one room, with negotiators trying to calm tensions. But the prisoners barricaded themselves in, blocking windows with furniture to hide their moves from officers.
They smashed their way out using a fridge freezer and armed themselves with improvised weapons ripped from fixtures. Officers were forced to retreat as prisoners took over the wing, barricading themselves behind a pool table, a football table, and other items.
CCTV footage revealed the inmates wreaking havoc — smashing cell viewing windows, destroying recreational gear, damaging alarm buttons, washers, dryers, and even CCTV cameras. The disturbance sparked a small fire within the wing, adding to the bedlam.
Specialist Teams End Mutiny with Dogs, Pava Spray and Flash Grenades
The National Tactical Response Group and Op Tornado officers stormed the wing, armed with prison dogs, Pava spray, and flash grenades to bring the mutiny under control.
Convictions Handed Down After Lengthy Trials
Following a Crown Prosecution Service investigation, 14 inmates faced trials at Maidstone Crown Court from 2019 to 2021 for their roles in the mutiny and vandalism.
The reporting restrictions were lifted after the final trial on 10 May 2021. Below are the key guilty verdicts:
- Marcus Moore, 37: Prison mutiny – 3 years 6 months; Criminal damage – 1 year 6 months
- Owen Lane, 26: Prison mutiny – 2 years 6 months; Criminal damage – 1 year
- Daniel Allen, 35: Prison mutiny – 2 years 4 months; Criminal damage – 1 year
- Anthony Bulmer, 29: Prison mutiny – 4 years; Criminal damage – 1 year 6 months
- Kenny Garcia, 26: Prison mutiny – 2 years 8 months; Criminal damage – 1 year
- Mohamed Mohamed, 29: Prison mutiny – 3 years 6 months; Criminal damage – 1 year 4 months
- Louis Quatre, 26: Prison mutiny – 2 years; Criminal damage – 1 year
- Colin Weeding, 31: Prison mutiny – 4 years; Criminal damage – 1 year 6 months
- John Woodfield, 27: Prison mutiny – 2 years 6 months; Criminal damage – 1 year 6 months
Others convicted of prison mutiny only include Samuel Simon, Jamal Ferguson, Malki Ferguson, and Marcus McIntosh, receiving sentences ranging from 2 years 6 months to 3 years 6 months.
Gavin Aina (6 weeks) and Jamal Green (9 months) were convicted for criminal damage alone, while Marvin Mclean pleaded guilty to both charges and awaits sentencing.
Police Praise Quick Action That Prevented Injury
Detective Constable Matthew Robinson from kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police said: “This incident escalated in violence extremely quickly and was frightening for the prison staff who had to prioritise their own safety while protecting inmates. “Tensions were sky-high and, had this not been safely controlled, the violence could have spiralled further. The swift action of prison officers ensured no staff were injured. “Such behaviour inside prisons is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We will hold everyone involved fully accountable.”
