Thousands of prison officers in England and Wales are striking for at least 24 hours in a protest over pay.
Thousands of prison officers in England and Wales are striking for at least 24 hours in a protest over pay.
The Prison Officers' Association's strike, which started at 0700 BST, comes after it pulled out of a no-strike agreement with government.
The Prison Officers' Association's strike comes after it pulled out of a no-strike agreement with government.
Officers in Leeds, Liverpool, Kent, Birmingham, East Anglia and London were among those joining the strike.
Officers in Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham, East Anglia and London are among those who have stopped working.
The government called the strike illegal while Justice Secretary Jack Straw called it "wholly unjustifiable".
The government is seeking a High Court injunction to stop the "illegal" strike action which Justice Secretary Jack has called "wholly unjustifiable".
Mr Straw said officials had approached the POA on Tuesday to organise a meeting.
Mr Straw said officials had approached the POA on Tuesday to organise a meeting.
The strike is the first national walkout in the association's 68-year history.
The strike is the first national walkout in the association's 68-year history.
The Prison Officers' Association (POA), which has 28,000 members, said up to 90% of its members who had been due on duty had joined the strike.
The Prison Officers' Association (POA), which has 28,000 members, said up to 90% of its members who had been due on duty had joined the strike.
POA representatives at Wormwood Scrubs prison, in west London, said the 1,300 prisoners were being looked after by eight governors.
The Prison Governors' Association said the walkout had been "widespread and unprecedented" and that there was "lockdown" - where prisoners are confined to their cells - at most prisons.
The Prison Governors' Association said the walkout had been "widespread and unprecedented" and that there was "lockdown" - where prisoners are confined to their cells - at most prisons.
Affected prisons include:
Birmingham prison where a mass outdoor meeting has taken place and all 1,450 prisoners are locked down
Bristol prison where more than 120 officers joined a picket line after serving breakfast to inmates
Wormwood Scrubs prison, west London, where the 1,300 prisoners are being looked after by eight governors
Manchester Prison - formerly known as Strangeways - where plans are in place to serve packed lunches and dinners to inmates in their cells
Prison safety
Prison safety
The Ministry of Justice said the walkout was a breach of the Industrial Relations Act and that it would be seeking advice on "our next step".
The Ministry of Justice said the walkout was a breach of the Industrial Relations Act and that it would be seeking advice on "our next step".
Mr Straw said in a statement that contingency plans were in place to maintain security in prisons where officers had gone on strike.
Mr Straw said in a statement that contingency plans were in place to maintain security in prisons where officers had gone on strike.
At my request yesterday, my office asked for a meeting with senior officers of the POA Jack Straw
At my request yesterday, my office asked for a meeting with senior officers of the POA Jack Straw
"Our first concern in this situation is to protect the public," he added.
"Our first concern in this situation is to protect the public," he added.
"Ministers have met with the POA on a regular basis in recent weeks and were due to meet next month.
"Ministers have met with the POA on a regular basis in recent weeks and were due to meet next month.
"Indeed, at my request yesterday, my office asked for a meeting with senior officers of the POA."
"Indeed, at my request yesterday, my office asked for a meeting with senior officers of the POA."
The BBC's Danny Shaw said ministers were considering court action.
The POA said it "fully expected" the Ministry of Justice to seek an injunction to stop the strike action.
Prisoners are being kept in their cells at the moment.
Prisoners are being kept in their cells at the moment.
It is believed police may have to be drafted in to ensure the safety of inmates.
It is believed police may have to be drafted in to ensure the safety of inmates.
The walkout follows a POA national ballot of members two weeks ago.
The walkout, which began at 0700 BST, follows a POA national ballot of members two weeks ago.
Some 87% of the prison officers who voted endorsed industrial action "up to and including strike".
Some 87% of the prison officers who voted endorsed industrial action "up to and including strike".
Pay row
Pay row
An independent pay review body recommended a 2.5% pay rise but the government staged that rise as 1.5% in April and a further 1% in November.
An independent pay review body recommended a 2.5% pay rise but the government staged that rise as 1.5% in April and a further 1% in November.
Surely we should be treated as well, if not better, than the prisoners we look after Colin MosesPOA
Surely we should be treated as well, if not better, than the prisoners we look after Colin MosesPOA
The POA says that, due to inflation, this reduces the value of the award, making it a below-inflation pay increase.
The POA says that, due to inflation, this reduces the value of the award, making it a below-inflation pay increase.
Prison Officers' Association (POA) general secretary Brian Caton told BBC News: "We told government and indeed the Prison Service of the result of that ballot and we asked for meetings.
Prison Officers' Association (POA) general secretary Brian Caton told BBC News: "We told government and indeed the Prison Service of the result of that ballot and we asked for meetings.
"None of those meetings have happened and that has caused our membership to call for strike action which we have taken today."
"None of those meetings have happened and that has caused our membership to call for strike action which we have taken today."
Chairman Colin Moses said the decision to strike had been taken "after two years of frustration and two years of below-inflation pay awards".
Chairman Colin Moses said the decision to strike had been taken "after two years of frustration and two years of below-inflation pay awards".
"Surely we should be treated as well, if not better, than the prisoners we look after."
"Surely we should be treated as well, if not better, than the prisoners we look after."
'Cross and fed-up
'Cross and fed-up
Prison Governors' Association chairman Charles Bushell told BBC News: "The next big issue will be at lunchtime.
Prison Governors' Association chairman Charles Bushell told BBC News: "The next big issue will be at lunchtime.
"Each individual governor is having to find the best way he or she or can to ensure that people get something to eat and will do so again this evening."
"Each individual governor is having to find the best way he or she or can to ensure that people get something to eat and will do so again this evening."
The majority of prisoners would become "cross and fed-up" but would "control themselves", he said.
The majority of prisoners would become "cross and fed-up" but would "control themselves", he said.
"Equally, we know that there is a minority - quite a sizeable minority in some places - who will get cross and will find it difficult."
"Equally, we know that there is a minority - quite a sizeable minority in some places - who will get cross and will find it difficult."
Prisoners would not be able to see visitors and very few prisoners expected in court on Wednesday would be taken there, he added.
Prisoners would not be able to see visitors and very few prisoners expected in court on Wednesday would be taken there, he added.
The Northern Ireland Prison Service said its prisons were unaffected by the action.
The Northern Ireland Prison Service said its prisons were unaffected by the action.
Are you a prison officer? Are you on strike? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you a prison officer? Are you on strike? Send us your comments using the form below.
