| | |  News Around the Republic of Mexico | September 2008 
Mexican Authorities Gain Control of Border Prison
 Associated Press
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| | A prison guard walks in La Mesa state penitentiary in Tijuana, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 15, 2008. Mexican police and soldiers quelled a six-hour riot that started on Sunday by inmates protesting alleged abuse by guards that left at least 40 people injured and burned about 60 percent of the prison. (AP/Guillermo Arias) | | |
Tijuana, Mexico - Mexican police and soldiers on Monday quelled a six-hour riot by inmates protesting alleged abuse by guards at a state penitentiary in this border city.
At least 40 people were injured in the violence, seven with bullet wounds, and about 60 percent of La Mesa prison in Tijuana was burned in the melee, said firefighter Capt. Rafael Carrillo.
Baja California's Public Safety Secretary said the riot started late Sunday while guards were searching cells for drugs and arms.
Several messages hung by inmates during the riot claimed that prison guards had killed at least two prisoners, beating one man to death on Saturday and killing the other last week.
"No more dead," one banner read. "The guards are assassins."
Early Monday, state and federal police aided by soldiers retook control the penitentiary, said a city police spokesman, who was not authorized to give his name.
Heavily armed police ringed the penitentiary Monday afternoon along with inmates' families, who were demanding information about their loved ones.
The rioting prisoners also said they wanted longer visiting hours and the ability to see people who aren't direct family members. |
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