INMATES at Rochester Prison's B-wing have been sent to other jails in the United Kingdom following the worst prison riot in the past 10 years. Prisoners went on an eight-hour rampage last Thursday night, taking an officer hostage and causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Furniture and doors were smashed to form barricades during the stand-off and inmates fashioned home-made weapons using snooker balls in socks, broken wood and glass.

Negotiators finally broke down the barricades at 4am on Friday and now the majority of the 70 inmates on the wing have been sent to other prisons as far afield as Hull.

Only eight rioters, believed to be the ringleaders, remain in solitary confinement at Rochester Prison. Charges of rioting and mutiny, which carries a 10-year jail term, may be brought on the worst offenders.

Yesterday, a team of representatives from the Prison Officers'Association toured the scene of the riot, and called for more funding from the Government. Brian Cayton, general secretary of the POA, said 50 per cent staffing cuts at Rochester Prison over the past five years had made it harder for officers to do their jobs.

He said: "There is a massive recruitment problem in the South East. Exit surveys have shown that people leave because they can get better-paid jobs elsewhere.

"I would like the Home Secretary to recognise the work of prison officers and put more money into the profession. Prison officers seem to be the forgotten soldiers of a forgotten army."

Rochester Prison officer Steve McManus, branch secretary of the POA, said despite the prison being short of staff, officers had acted with great bravery during the riot. He added: Morale among the officers is high and we are all helping each other through this. This was the worst prison riot in England in the past 10 years and the fact we have staff shortages doesnÕt help."

The officer taken hostage is said to be recovering. He suffered cuts and bruises to his head and was punched, kicked and hit during his ordeal.