HM Prison Birmingham was described by one source as the worst prison disturbance in a B category prison in the United Kingdom since the 1990 Strangeways Prison riot. The Birmingham riot caused about £2 million worth of damage.<ref name="bbc21/12/2016">HMP Birmingham riot repairs 'will cost £2m'</ref> This is the third serious incident within under two months, Riots previously happened at Bedford Prison and Lewes Prison and a subsequent riot happened at Swaleside Prison. After the riot inspectors found violence and illegal drug use were still problematic. Some prisoners felt unsafe. Prison wings damaged during the riot were not reopened until April 2017. There was
1990 Strangeways Prison riot shone at the roof, and prison officers banged on their riot shields and shouted at the prisoners, including calling them "beasts". The rooftop protest was watched by a crowd of onlookers and supporters outside the prison. Various political groups also attended in support of the prisoners, including anarchist group Class War, the Revolutionary Communist Group, and the Prisoners' League Association. On 6 April Paul Taylor attempted to shout out the prisoners' demands to the crowd gathered below, but he was drowned out by police sirens. Taylor and other prisoners responded by unfurling a banner which read "We fight and stand