164 prison inmates seeking food poisoning compensation

More than 160 inmates at Wandsworth prison are applying for personal injury compensation after contracting food poisoning.

According to The Sun, 164 people are seeking damages of £1,800 each after the Ministry of Justice admitted that kitchen staff at the institution - which, with a capacity of 1665 prisoners is the largest jail in the UK - had caused the inmates "pain, suffering and loss of amenity" by serving egg and cress rolls infected with salmonella.

The news source stated that the writ issued to the High Court on behalf of the incarcerated individuals stated that they had been "confined to their cells for the duration of their symptoms", which included "diarrhoea and vomiting".

Consequently, they were unable to "exercise, make phone calls, socialise or meet visitors", the document continued.

The Prison service stated that it has "conceded a breach of duty" to its inmates, meaning that they are likely to be successful with their claim, which could be a combined total of £300,000.

Posted by Patrick White
 

13/12/2010 16:52