DARTMOOR Prison was the scene of major drama this week as a prisoner was held hostage by other inmates.
The incident began shortly after 5pm on Tuesday when shouts could be heard coming from inside the prison.
Trained negotiators were called to the category C jail where, according to a Home Office spokesman, the situation was ?serious but not uncommon?.
A vehicle with a hydraulic platform was brought through the prison gates at about 8pm, followed by a white van containing eight security officers in riot gear and carrying perspex shields and batons.
The Home Office spokesman said only a ?handful? of prisoners were involved but could not confirm whether weapons had been used.
He said: ?The incident was confined to one cell while the rest of the prison continued to run as normal.
?The situation was resolved at 10.50pm on Tuesday night without the use of force.?
A prison service spokesman said: ?We can confirm that the incident has been resolved peacefully.
?There have been no injuries to staff and an investigation will follow.?
The Home Office spokesman confirmed that an internal inquiry into the incident had already started at HMP Dartmoor which he hoped would account for the occurrence as well as considering the use of ready-made or makeshift weapons.