A STAGGERING 120 claims for compensation have been made by inmates at Whitemoor Prison in March, new figures have revealed. Information obtained through a Freedom of Information request highlighted that the most claims made by prisoners for compensation i

A STAGGERING 120 claims for compensation have been made by inmates at Whitemoor Prison in March, new figures have revealed.

Information obtained through a Freedom of Information request highlighted that the most claims made by prisoners for compensation in England was at the high security prison in March.

The FOI report also revealed that inmates in Britain have been awarded £6.5million for injuries in the last two years alone.

Eighty-two prisoners were handed a total of £4.1million between them an average of £52,000 each in 2005 - 2007.

The report revealed that the most claims were from Whitemoor.

Yet a soldier can expect a mere £16,500 for losing a leg.

The Prison Service had defended its payouts by saying they made the payments when instructed by the courts.

Whitemoor is a maximum security prison for men in Category A and B.

It is one of eight High Security prisons.

The prison focuses on settlement helping those convicted of serious offences to make positive use of long sentences, and also with resettlement.

The prison includes a Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder Unit. Whitemoor also houses a Close Supervision Centre (CSC).

The unit prepares prisoners who pose a severe risk to others, to return to a normal prison environment.

Whitemoor will not accept prisoners who are serving less than four years.