Last night, an officer in HMP Belmarsh segregation Unit detonated a tear-gas cannister on the landing in the Segregation Unit. This was part of an attack on a vulnerable prisoner who is severely mentally unwell and is under 24-hour watch.  

The landings in the segregation are very badly ventilated – the only ventilation is through the cells. The gas was still subsiding - THROUGH the cells - 3 hours later. It reached and harmed the whole landing.

Exposure to tear gas causes severe burning of the eyes, mouth, throat, and skin. Victims cough, choke, and retch. Some report temporary blindness.

Prisoners reported seeing white gas entering the cell around the door. One prisoner who is asthmatic was refused his inhaler.

This attack on prisoners in the segregation was the second of the day - around 2pm  8 officers attacked another prisoner. Three governor grade officers were present, overseeing the attack. The prisoner being victimised was severely unwell and had just been moved to the segregation unit from healthcare.