An inmate who was found with a home made knife has had his sentence increased on the day that Prison Officers took industrial action over violence inside jails.

Justin Godefroy was caught with the makeshift 'shank' under the pillow of his cell in Exeter Prison after officers became suspicious about his behaviour.

The 21-year-old claimed he was given the weapon by another inmate to protect himself after he was bullied by older inmates on his wing.

Godefroy was two months into a 27 month sentence for a burglary and assault in Plymouth when he was caught with the knife in March this year.

Justin Godefroy

The 'shank' was made by melting a razor blade into the shaft of a plastic toothbrush and was capable of causing serious injury.

He was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on the day that the Prison Officers Association protested about prison violence by walking out and holding demonstrations outside their gates.

Exeter Prison in New North Road

Exeter prison staff have walked out today over “unprecedented” levels of jail violence.

Prison Officers Association general secretary Steve Gillan called for all members in England and Wales to take protest action outside their jails from 7am "until instructed otherwise".

And members at HMP Exeter are taking part in the protests, with at least 20 prison staff outside the building.

The action follows the publication of a damning report that warned of a "dangerous lack of control" at HMP Bedford, the union said.

Godefroy, of North Weald Gardens, Plymouth, admitted having a bladed article inside prison and was jailed for an additional ten months by Judge David Evans.

He was sentenced in his absence after refusing to leave his cell at Channings Wood Prison near Newton Abbot, where he is serving his sentence after being transferred from Exeter.

The judge said:"This sort of weapon is not uncommon in the prison environment. This case is aggravated by the defendant's previous convictions for violence.

"The offence was committed not long into his first custodial sentence and the fact he has a recent history of serious violence makes it more serious than otherwise."

Mr Greg Richardson, prosecuting, said officers at Exeter Prison saw Godefroy standing on the toilet in his cell and leaning out of the window.

He jumped down as they went in and went to his bed, where they suspected he was hiding something and found the weapon under his pillow.

Prison governor made a statement saying there had been a rise in assaults inside the jail over the past two years and weapons of this sort put staff and other inmates at risk.

Mr Michael Green, defending, said:"It was clear to him that threats were being made to him by other prisoners on the same wing and he had been assaulted by some individuals.

"Weapons of this sort are passed from cell window to window. He did not make it but was given it to defend himself. This incident reflects his naivety and immaturity.

"He has a three-year-old daughter and all he wants is to be able to return to his family life as soon as he can."

Godefroy was jailed for 27 months in January for a burglary in Plymouth in which he and co-accused George White, aged 19, stole a television and went on to attack a passer by.

He had another year added to his sentence at Plymouth Crown Court in August of this year for another assault, carried out before his imprisonment.