Prisoner suffers collapsed lung, broken ribs after 'keeping cutlery'

A prisoner in rural Victoria has suffered a collapsed lung after six police officers allegedly used force to put him in cuffs in his jail cell.

Police in Shepparton allege they restrained 31-year-old James Martin when he refused to return his cutlery in jail.

Officers allege their attempts to restrain him were common practice and it was only when Mr Martin tried to grab equipment from their vests that it prompted an escalated response.

Mr Martin suffered three broken ribs and a collapsed lung in the incident.

He claimed he waited close to 40 minutes for help from paramedics.

But police say they called an ambulance as soon as Mr Martin indicated he was hurt.

Mr Martin was arrested on May 28 for breaching bail.

He pleaded guilty to several charges after the incident, including contravening bail conditions and resisting an emergency worker.

He was fined $1500 and was convicted.

Victoria Police's professional standards command has been notified of the incident.

Mr Martin is now back out on bail as he appeals a jail sentence for other charges.