The man, who comes from Plymouth, scaled the officers' mess at Exeter prison at 1930 BST on Monday.

He climbed up onto the roof, sat on the chimney pot and set off a number of sailing flares.

A police spokesman said the man staged the protest in connection with a civil damages claim against Her Majesty's Prison Service.

During the protest, New North Road, at the front of the prison, was closed to traffic.

Police negotiators attended the scene and the man gave himself up after three hours.

A Home Office spokesman said there would be an internal investigation over the protest.

No damage was caused and there were no injuries as a result of the incident during which the rest of the prison remained calm, he said.

A man is now helping police with their inquiries.