Dartmoor Prison closed 'temporarily'
It's reportedly down to high levels of radon gas at the prison
Dartmoor Prison is closing temporarily - with 175 inmates being moved elsewhere.
It's reportedly down to dangerously high levels of radon gas in the building, with the Prison Officers Association reporting inmates will begin to be moved on Thursday 18th July.
Earlier this year, more than one hundred and eighty cells were closed and inmates removed due to the gas, which is produced by decaying radioactive materials in rocks and soils, and is responsible for around 1,000 lung cancer deaths a year.
It is thought to occur more often in areas with high concentrations of granite, such as Dartmoor.
Removals are expected to take place over the next two weeks.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson says, "Public safety will always be this Government’s priority.
"After close monitoring of the situation at HMP Dartmoor, the prison is being temporarily closed and around 175 offenders are being moved to elsewhere in the prison estate.”
"We are confident that we do still have enough capacity to manage over this difficult period.
"However, any further events like these would be harder for the system to withstand.
"We will continue to work closely with our hardworking staff and unions throughout this process."