Updated 3.45 p.m.

Fourteen prison inmates who swallowed razor blades yesterday after not being allowed to attend a Winter Moods concert in the prison courtyard are now back in their cells.

In a statement, the Director of Prisons said that during the summer, the prisons administration held a string of cultural events inside the correctional facility. The last of these events was the one held yesterday.

For reasons of security, the event was open only for those inmates housed in the divisions which were closest to the yard. Inmates who presented a security risk were not allowed to attend.

The event itself was uneventful. However, a  group of prisoners who were not able to attend 'allegedly' swallowed shaving blades covered in adhesive tape as a sign of protest.

All 14 prisoners were medically examined by the doctor on duty at the CCF and referred to Mater Dei Hospital for further investigation.

They have now been taken back to prison and do not require further treatment.