The prisoners had not done anything wrong. They just wanted to get out

Don Wood, POA

Don Wood, of the Prison Officers Association, said: "There were concerns over the weekend that there could have been gang fights.

"Some small weapons were found, like blades and possibly socks with batteries in.

"There were minor injuries over the weekend which can't be put down to gang fights because they were isolated, but the governor was informed there was unrest."

On Monday morning, said Mr Wood, warders were told by the governor, Gary Deighton, to expect an extra 10 prisoners from Bristol.

City centre

When they arrived at 1330BST, the warders refused to open the gates - although prisoners from courts throughout the West Country were admitted.

"They said they could not protect the safety of the staff or the prisoners," said Mr Wood.

The inmates spent the next five hours in the van, operated by Reliance, the private security company.

Warders used safety rules to keep gates locked

It was parked on Crown land just outside the jail, which is near Exeter city centre.

The men inside were supplied with drink and food prepared by prison officers and were escorted on trips to the toilet.

Mr Wood said the officers - who have an agreement not to take industrial action - were threatened with an injunction if the inmates were not admitted by 1615BST.

Stand-off ended

He said: "We instructed barristers - it was that serious."

"It wasn't industrial action - it was a health and safety issue.

"This is the first time the health and safety laws have been used in a situation like this in the West Country."

The stand-off ended at about 1830 when the governor and the area manager of the prisons service, Jerry Petherick, negotiated with the Prison Officers Association.

The POA agreed to admit the inmates, on condition that 10 Bristol prisoners were transferred to another jail on Tuesday morning.

Mr Wood said: "By that time it would not have been fair to put them in police cells or move them to another prison.

"We had warned that we would not let them in even before they left Bristol.

"Obviously the prisoners involved had not done anything wrong. They just wanted to get out."