Three staff at a north Shropshire offenders’ unit were taken to hospital and several more were injured after tackling a fight involving as many as 15 inmates.

The fight started at Stoke Heath Young Offenders’ Institution, near Market Drayton, just after midday yesterday, leaving three male prison officers having to attend Accident & Emergency.

It came the same day as a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons claimed the unit was improving.

The incident happened on G wing while inmates, aged 18 to 21, were having lunch.

More than 20 staff responded to the incident and gained control within 10 minutes, and normal regimes were continuing today, governors said.

An internal investigation has been launched into why the fight broke out and several of those involved have been moved to the separation and reintegration unit.

Steve Williams, head of operations at the unit, said the three staff taken to hospital were checked over and discharged. Other staff suffered minor injuries.

• For yesterday’s report praising Stoke Heath, click here

He said some staff had suffered redness and marks consistent with having intervened in a fight.

“There were a couple of fights going on and the staff intervened,” he said.

“A few staff got minor injuries and went to A and E to be checked over but they were discharged and there were no major concerns. The regime is continuing as normal today.

“A few of the inmates had minor injuries but none required hospital treatment. We’ve lifted about three or four of them onto the separation and reintegration unit while we have a look at why this fight started and from that we will punish accordingly depending on the severity of the offence,” he said.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “We can confirm that an incident took place at HMYOI Stoke Heath in which 15 prisoners got into a fight yesterday.

“The incident began at 12.20pm and was resolved by 12.40pm. Five members of staff sustained minor injuries. The police were informed and the Prison Service will investigate the incident.”

By Abigail Bates