As prison officers walk off the job, unions estimate 400,000 other public sector workers are expected to take part in a 24-hour strike over pension changes. The Government has disputed that figure.
The prison warden walkout has also affected trials, with the HM Courts and Tribunal Service saying some cases are being disrupted as inmates are not being taken to court.
At the Old Bailey, a jury in a murder trial has been sent home after the two defendants were not produced in court.
Who Is Striking?
- :: Civil servants
:: NHS workers
:: Paramedics
:: Border force staff
:: Lecturers
:: Job advisers
The Ministry of Justice says it is disappointed by what it describes as an “unlawful” walkout.
National Offender Management Service (NOMS) chief executive Michael Spurr said: "I am extremely disappointed that the Prison Officers Association (POA) has taken this unlawful action.
“We have implemented our contingency plans, and our priority is to protect the public and ensure that prisons remain safe and secure."
But prison worker Andy Spalding, who represented the PCS in Edinburgh, told Sky News: "We're unhappy because we're being asked to do more work for longer - and get less at the end of the day.
"We've asked them to come and speak to us but they continue to refuse to sit down and have sensible negotiations."
Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "We recognise valid concerns raised by the POA (Prison Officers Association) and, at the same time, fear that unannounced action of this kind is bound to have a damaging impact on people in prison and their families ranging from lock-downs to cancelled visits."
There are disruptions at airports, jobcentres, tax offices, colleges, driving test centres, museums and military sites as public sectors strike.
A Cabinet Office source has told Sky News that about 100,000 civil servants are on strike.
Off-duty police officers are prohibited by law from striking, but they are also among the protesters, with an estimated 20,000 marching in Westminster.
The dispute over the planned changes to pensions, which would see increased contributions for workers, has been going on for more than 18 months and further strikes could take place in June and throughout the summer.
A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said: "We have come up with a fair plan, which is fair to the tax payer as well as the public sector worker."
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude described the strike as "futile" and insisted that talks over pensions will not be reopened.
Despite the action the Government made it clear in the Queen's Speech that the changes would go ahead.
But Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: "Today's industrial action will build on the high level of anger that was on display during the November 30 strikes.
"This anger has been increased by the Government's hardline insistence that public sector employees work longer, pay more and receive less when they eventually retire.
"Our members believe that the Government is attacking their pensions as a means of helping reduce the budget deficit, which has been caused by a greedy City elite, that has brought the economy to its knees. This is blatantly unfair."
Mr Maude said: "It is very disappointing that a handful of unions insist on carrying on with futile strike action which will benefit no one.
Protesters demonstrate at Embankment in central London
"Public sector workers are being asked to work a bit longer and pay a bit more, but they will continue to get a guaranteed pension which is index-linked and inflation-proofed.
"Most staff on low and middle incomes will receive a pension at retirement as good as what they expect today, and for many it will be even better."
Meanwhile, Unite said thousands of London bus workers were to vote on strikes in a row over payments during the Olympic Games.
And recorded messages on HM Revenue and Customs phones were advising people to call back another day, and there were reports of government offices and jobcentres being closed, said the PCS.
The Immigration Services Union, which represents 4,500 Border Agency staff, is expecting walkouts at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and the Eurotunnel.
Passengers arriving at Gatwick Airport were warned they may experience some delays at immigration.
Any delays at Heathrow could exacerbate a row over staffing levels, with passengers already complaing about long queues at passport control.
.Culled from Skynews
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