Specially trained control teams restored order at the jail

The men - armed with chair legs and pool balls - forced warders to withdraw from A wing, where a combination of remand and convicted prisoners are locked up.

A prison source said a number of inmates had been drinking illegal alcohol before the disturbance which started just before 2000 GMT on Thursday.

Equipment for the manufacture of illegal alcohol had been confiscated and 16 inmates have been transferred from the jail.

Minor injuries

The incident began as prisoners were being told to return to their cells.

They refused, and, over the course of the evening, became more and more aggressive. Windows were smashed and water pipes pulled from walls according to witnesses.

Negotiations between the prisoners and the guards failed, and shortly after midnight, specially-trained control and restraint teams were sent in.

The situation was then resolved within 30 minutes and two inmates received minor injuries.

Police are investigating allegations of criminal damage by the inmates.

Good relations

The Prison Service said: "The production of hooch is illegal and staff are vigilant in removing any evidence of its production. We take it very seriously."

Hooch is produced in jails by a simple fermentation of fruit, often using only plastic buckets.

Peny Dodd, chairman of the independent monitoring board at Exeter, said: "Exeter has a very good record of relations between staff and inmates.

"It is very sad to think that 16 prisoners can cause this amount of damage.

"But this was spur of the moment. There was no indication it was going to happen and I feel very sorry for the staff who have worked hard to foster good relations in the prison."