Furious reactions have appeared online after a video emerged that shows prisoners dancing, raving and celebrating.
The footage, believed to have been filmed at HMP Lancaster Farm, North Lancashire on Christmas Day, has been viewed more than 500,000 times and has left some people outraged - one former police officer is reported to have said it made him want to 'vomit' and another person compared the scenes to Butlins.
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In the video - which is believed to have been filmed by the prisoners - the men can be seen wearing casual clothing, dancing to party music and shouting along to 'Whoomp!(There It Is)' by Tag Team, freely, outside their cells.
The rowdy prisoners are dancing on the balcony with fizzy drinks noticeable in the background and one man is spotted wearing a Hugo Boss jumper.
Comments left on the video ranged from being appalled to completely outraged by the scenes.
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One person wrote under the Facebook post: "As a retired Prison Officer these scenes make me want to vomit. The Governors at the Farms should hang their heads in shame. Total disgrace."
Another person commented: "Looks like fucking Butlins not prison. Absolutely shocking."
A third wrote: "It's a prison. Not a playhouse. No wonder people aren't arsed if they get sent down any more."
One person slammed the video by saying it provides a stark comparison to how some people spent Christmas living on the street.
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"Criminals getting a bed and Christmas dinner whilst ex- servicemen and women are homeless for Christmas. Absolute joke," they wrote.
The Prison Service has condemned the actions of the prisoners, calling them 'unacceptable' and saying prisoners found with mobiles and other devices would be punished.
A spokeswoman said: "This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We have recruited an extra 3,500 prison officers over the last two years and are investing an additional £40 million in safety and security.
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"Anyone found with a mobile phone faces extra time behind bars and we are spending £2m to detect and block them from being used."
The appearance of the video follows further controversy surrounding the Christmas dining options for prisoners at Dartmoor, which included roast turkey and stuffing, pork and apple sauce, salmon and broccoli parcels and chicken tandoori with pitta bread.
Between meals, various cheeses, puddings and mince pies were scheduled to be offered out to the prison's 600 convicts.
Topics: UK News, Christmas day, Prison