Dozens of sex offenders could sue for up to 5,000 after being hit by vomiting bug at HMP Whatton

DOZENS of lags at the biggest jail for sex offenders have been struck down by a vomiting bug.

And inmates hit by diarrhoea and sickness could sue for £1,000 to £5,000.

It is thought perverts in one unit suffered food poisoning, with many having had a chicken meal a few hours before the sickness.

An investigation is under way to find the cause of the outbreak at 1,966-capacity HMP Whatton, Notts.

NHS England were informed of the situation.

A source said: “Prisoners were hit pretty hard. A few reported symptoms overnight, but at least 30 were hit the next day.

“A number of staff were also affected. They were all in a bad state.”

A second theory is the norovirus bug which is passed via contaminated food or water.

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The Prison Officers Association’s Glyn Travis said: “Any instance of food poisoning or a bug will hit prisoners and staff very fast.

"It’s another challenge for overworked officers.”

The Prison Service said staff and Public Health England were able to control the bug.

It added: “We robustly defend all compensation claims and are successful in two thirds of cases brought against us by prisoners.”

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