[Onthebarricades] Prison revolts, Aug-Dec 2008

[global resistance roundup]

December

* THAILAND: Protest, building torched, mass breakout at youth prison
* COTE D'IVOIRE: Prison uprising over rights abuses
* AFGHANISTAN: Hunger strike, uprising, deaths in Afghan jail
* ARGENTINA: Three youths killed as police attack prison uprising
* INDIA: Inmates skip breakfast, damage furniture at remand prison
* INDIA: Protest over conditions at jail
* IRELAND: Guards wounded in Cavan youth centre uprising
* US: Oregon, Albany - uprising at youth prison
* US: Texas - uprising and hostage-taking after death
* UK: Five-hour uprising by Muslim prisoners
* US: Tennessee - firestarting during prison uprising, overcrowding blamed

November

* GREECE: Victory for hunger strikers - 5000 to be freed, 4000 involved 
in 18-day fast
* LEBANON: Prison uprising
* INDIA: Jail averts food protest
* ISRAEL: Assassin on hunger strike over conditions
* NEW ZEALAND: Fugitive leads police on long chase
* INDONESIA: Bali bomb convicts defy prison repression
* MEXICO: Tijuana - uprisings highlight torture, abuse

October

* PAKISTAN: Karachi - Prisoners murdered by screws during breakout 
attempt, uprising - take control of jail
* AUSTRALIA: High-security prisoners in rooftop standoff at Port 
Augusta, target overcrowding, minister
* TURKEY: Protest at immigration prison
* VENEZUELA: Prison sit-in
* US - Vermont - prison uprising
* NORTHERN IRELAND: Prisoners throw chamber pots at governor, screws
* UK: Rooftop protest at Parkhurst
* US - Clayton - detainee resists police testing, pees in pants
* US: California - five hurt in prison unrest
* WALES - UK: Protest against prison building
* BANGLADESH: Clashes over fugitive arrests, 10 cops injured

September-August
* MEXICO: Two dead in mass uprising
* SYRIA: Prison uprising highlights abuse
* NAMIBIA: Death leads to prison uprising
* EGYPT: Injuries in prison uprising over suspicious death
* PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Inmates hold hunger strike over trial delays
* TURKEY: Uprising over prison conditions
* PAKISTAN: Prison revolt
* INDIA: Kolkata - prisoner dies during clash with screws
* US: Tehachapi - lockdown after uprising
* IRELAND: "Minor" protest at prison
* CANADA: Prisoners refuse to return to cells over prison programme




http://www.bangkokpost.com/071208_News/07Dec2008_news10.php

Sunday December 7th 2008

Escapees evade police search YOUTHS PROTEST AGAINST REMAND HOME REGIME
YOUTHS PROTEST AGAINST REMAND HOME REGIME

PRASIT TANGPRASERT

NAKHON RATCHASIMA : Forty-two youths remain at large after hundreds of 
juvenile inmates rioted on Friday night at a remand home and set fire to 
three buildings.


ALIGHT: Fire rages through remand home.
Police yesterday managed to recapture 26 other teenagers who escaped 
after hammering their way to freedom through the home's wall before 
police could move in to quell the protest with tear gas.
The protest broke out about midnight when the home's 461 young inmates 
went on a rampage and set fire to their sleeping quarters.
The rioters were said to be unhappy with the home's new director, 
Tasanawilai Krainara, whom they accused of being unreasonably strict and 
rude. They demanded her transfer.
Mrs Tasanawilai succeeded Surakij Angurarat on Monday.
Firefighters and about 200 police were called in to control the 
situation. The officers first tried to negotiate with the protest 
leaders but were forced to give up after they came under a hail of 
stones thrown at them by inmates.
The young protesters were then subdued with tear gas and the sound of 
gunfire.
The unrest caused an estimated 10 million baht worth of damage to six 
buildings, including a kitchen area and an office, according to an 
initial inspection.
Police have taken the teenagers aged over 18 to a prison in the province.
Juvenile Observation and Protection Department chief Tawatchai Thaikeaw, 
who was present during the police operation, said he would set up a 
committee to look into the incident, especially the accusations against 
Mrs Tasanawilai.

NOT SO FAST: Male teenagers are forced to lie face down when they were 
recaptured yesterday after escaping from a Nakhon Ratchasima remand home.
"I haven't thought of transferring her as yet. Everything must be based 
on facts," Mr Tawatchai said.
One inmate, whose name was not disclosed, said he and his friends joined 
the protest because they could not stand the actions of Mrs Tasanawilai 
and some of the remand staff.
The new director was accused of restricting visits to inmates by their 
parents and not allowing parents to bring in food to their children.
This enraged the detainees who wanted to spend time with their families 
on Friday, Father's Day.
According to an initial inquiry, the remand home has imposed controls on 
food delivered to the inmates by their parents because some items were 
banned under the home's regulations as they could be used to produce 
intoxicating drinks.
Many of the detainees have previously been caught with alcoholic drinks 
which they made using sticky rice, soft drinks and cough syrup.
The remand home, located in Muang district, houses 461 male inmates, 
mostly detained for theft and assault.
Friday's riot was the third violent incident in the remand home's recent 
history.
In mid-November, 24 teenagers escaped through a hole dug under the 
home's ageing fence, to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival.
In 1998, detainees torched their sleeping quarters to demand officers 
allow them to watch the World Cup football matches live.






http://www.bangkokpost.com/081208_News/08Dec2008_news12.php

Police hunt for missing teen rioters
PRASIT TANGPRASERT
Switch to the new Bangkok Post online. Click here.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA : Police are searching for 16 more teenagers who 
escaped from a remand home late Friday night after causing 19 million 
baht damage during a riot.
Fifty of the 66 escapees have been detained. The riot followed a 
crackdown on 461 young inmates who led an angry protest by destroying 
objects and torching six buildings, including their sleeping quarters 
and an office of the remand staff.
The rioters were reported to be unhappy with their treatment by the 
home's new director.
Five of the six damaged buildings were so severely damaged by the fire 
they had to be dismantled, officials said.
The delinquents were dissatisfied with what they described as 
unreasonably strict rules imposed by remand home director Tasanawilai 
Krainara.
Protesters accused Ms Tasanawilai of restricting visits from their 
parents and prohibiting them from bringing food to their children.
The inmates demanded Mrs Tasanawilai, who had assumed the post since Nov 
1, be transferred to another facility.
An investigation found certain types of food such as sticky rice were 
banned after some inmates used it to make intoxicating drinks. The 
Juvenile Observation and Protection Department will set up a 
fact-finding committee to look into the matter.
Police have taken 140 riot leaders to the adult prison in the province 
and sent 100 more to be detained at Nakhon Ratchasima Juvenile 
Observation and Protection Centre.
Officials will extend the detention period for the wrongdoers.
The remand home, in Muang district, had earlier encountered two violent 
incidents. In October, 24 teenagers fled the home to join the Loy 
Krathong celebrations and, in 1998, detainees set their sleeping 
quarters ablaze to pressure officers to allow them to watch the live 
broadcast of World Cup football matches.







http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/africa/7782111.stm

Sunday, 14 December 2008

Ivory Coast prison protest ends

A tense stand-off developed at the prison

Calm has returned to the main prison in Ivory Coast's commercial 
capital, Abidjan, after police put down a mass protest, prison 
authorities have said.
Six prisoners were injured when about 100 police and gendarmes fired 
machine guns in the air to disperse the crowd.
Others in riot gear worked to gain control of the main prison blocks.
Officials said the protest came after a change in visiting hours, but 
human rights groups said inmates were upset by overcrowding and poor 
conditions.
This prison mutiny follows a similar break-out on Friday from a jail in 
the country's second city, Bouake, during which more than 20 prisoners 
managed to escape.
Officials denied there was any link between the two disturbances.
'Overpopulated'
The BBC's John James, who was outside the Abidjan Detention and 
Correction Centre (Maca) on Saturday, says calm has now returned, but 
for most of the day the sound of machine guns and tear gas grenades 
could be heard.

The prison is around three or four times the maximum capacity, so the 
conditions for the prison guards and the prisoners themselves are quite 
difficult
Drissa Traore
Ivorian Movement for Human Rights
After inmates in two blocks revolted, police and gendarmes were sent to 
the prison to support warders.
A tense stand-off soon developed, with angry prisoners on the roofs 
hurling stones at the security personnel, who responded by firing tear 
gas and rubber bullets. Real bullets were also fired into the air above 
the inmates' heads in a bid to disperse them.
The director of the prison, Patrice Yao, said those responsible for the 
protest were some of the facility's most dangerous inmates.
After several hours, police managed to secure the area around the 
prison, while others in riot gear carrying guns and shields regained 
control of the main prison blocks.
According to the prison authorities, the protest was sparked by a change 
to visiting hours in order to avoid escapes.
But Drissa Traore, the head of the Ivorian Movement for Human Rights, 
said the prisoners were also angered by their living conditions.
"You know that this place is overpopulated. The prison is around three 
or four times the maximum capacity, so the conditions for the prison 
guards and the prisoners themselves are quite difficult," he told the BBC.
In addition, of the 5,200 people currently detained at the prison, 
nearly 2,000 are yet to be tried - for some the wait has lasted more 
than 10 years, our correspondent says.







http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7767040.stm

Friday, 5 December 2008
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Inmates die in Afghan jail clash

Prisoners say there was a hunger strike over conditions
Afghan authorities say eight inmates have been killed in clashes with 
prison guards at the Pul-e-Charkhi jail in the capital, Kabul.
Justice Minister Sarwar Danesh said the violence started after some 
prisoners resisted attempts by officers to search their cells.
Officials said they had information that a prison escape was being planned.
In June some 900 prisoners escaped from jail in the southern city of 
Kandahar after Taleban fighters blew up a gate.
'Under control'
The Afghan authorities said the officers were searching for weapons and 
mobile phones in Pul-e-Charkhi.

About 900 inmates escaped in the Kandahar incident
Mr Danesh said some of the prisoners had contacts with insurgents on the 
outside and that an explosion was going to be set off to help the escape.
He said 12 prisoners and three officers were injured in the clashes and 
the situation was now under control.
Some prisoners who contacted the BBC put the casualty figures higher.
They confirmed the clashes started after a refusal to allow cells to be 
searched. This followed an earlier hunger strike over conditions in the 
jail.
The BBC's Pam O'Toole says the authorities have accused Taleban 
prisoners of stirring up unrest over poor conditions but there are also 
accusations of poor security and rampant corruption in Afghan jails.
Pul-e-Charkhi houses several thousand prisoners, including members of 
the Taleban.
In the incident in Kandahar in June, 15 guards died in the truck bombing 
and rocket attack that began the outbreak.
The Nato forces admitted it was a success for the Taleban but insisted 
it was an isolated incident.








http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6562971.html

3 teenage detainees die in violent protest at Argentine police station

11:34, December 27, 2008

Three minor detainees died and five others were injured when they tried 
to stage a violent protest at a police station in northern Argentina, 
authorities said Friday.

Ten of 12 minors detained in three cells joined the protest at the 
police station in the Oran locality in Salta province on Thursday, said 
the police. Two policemen were also injured in the violence.

The detainees attacked the policemen with cold steel and set many 
mattresses on fire in the protest that lasted for 45 minutes. Three of 
the injured died after they were sent to hospital.

Seven were killed in two riots at the same police station two years ago.

Source:Xinhua








http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081224/jsp/jharkhand/story_10294869.jsp

Food protest rocks remand home
- Inmates skip breakfast, damage furniture OUR CORRESPONDENT

The observation home at Karandih. Picture by Srinivas
Jamshedpur, Dec. 23: The inmates of an observation home in Karandih 
today protested against the food served to them at the remand house.
The inmates skipped their breakfast and created a ruckus which was 
brought under control after police intervention. They alleged that they 
were served sub-standard rice and pulses and they have not been given 
any blankets this winter.
Ten among the total 34 inmates of the home tried to break the door of 
the observation home and damaged the furniture, too.
The situation was brought under control after Parsudih officer in charge 
Krishna Murari and East Singhbhum district welfare officer (DWO) Vijay 
Kumar arrived at the scene and assured them to look into the matter.
According to sources at the remand home, the juvenile undertrials were 
on protest from the morning alleging that the quality of the food being 
served was poor.
The inmates showed that the rice and pulses contai- ned stone-chips. 
They also said they were not given blankets.
The adult inmates complained that they were not served green vegetables 
regularly and demanded a cable connection to the television sets at the 
remand home.
Sources said they complained against the remand home in-charge Ranjit 
Singh Munda and demanded his removal.
The police officer and the DWO inspected sack of rice but found no 
stone-chips in it.
“We did not find any stones in the rice. We checked the whole sack,” 
said Murari.
He said some of the inmates are trying to create problems. On September 
23, adult inmates protested that they were not served milk and fruits. 
He also claimed that the inmates did not skip breakfast today.
Kumar said the inmates have misused the blankets that were given to them 
last year. “They used the blankets to wipe the floors,” he said, adding 
that he would ensure the inmates are provided with the blankets soon.
The DWO said the inmates wanted a cable connection to watch movies and 
serials.
“Before recommending for a cable connection, I have to take the 
permission of higher authorities if allowed, I would arrange for it at 
the observation home,” said Kumar.
The DWO said the home is facing a staff crunch and hopes that the 
situation would improve soon.
“Against a sanctioned strength of 12 guards, we have only three staff 
members,” Kumar said.









http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1217036

Prisoners protest death of inmate, inquiry ordered
PTI
Saturday, December 27, 2008 18:15 IST

Shillong: SHILLONG: A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the 
death of an inmate of Tura district jail in Meghalaya even as the 
prisoners lodged a protest with the authorities over the lack of medical 
facilities in the jail.
Official sources said an inmate in the jail convicted for rape fell down 
in the toilet of the jail last Tuesday. He was rushed to a hospital 
where he was declared brought dead.
About 180 prisoners lodged in the jail resorted to a hunger strike for a 
day demanding adequate health facilities in the jail.
The prisoners alleged that the inmate could have been saved had there 
been adequate medical facilities in the jail, withdrew their agitation 
following an assurance from the administration that it would look into 
the problems.
The deputy commissioner has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death 
of the prisoner, administration sources said on Saturday. The inquiry 
report would be submitted within the first week of January.













http://espanol.video.yahoo.com/watch/4603829/11150813
Two guards injured in detention centre riot

Publicado hace 6 meses
Two guards have been injured an overnight riot at the Cavan Youth 
Detention Centre.








http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/31046.html

Guards wounded in youth center riot

ALBANY, Ore., Dec. 22 (UPI) --
Three guards were wounded when eight teenage girls allegedly staged a 
riot at a youth detention facility in Albany, the Oregon Youth Authority 
said.
The guards were wounded Sunday in an escape attempt at the Oak Creek 
Correctional Facility, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Monday.
The eight girls, ranging in age from 13 to 17, allegedly faked a fight 
in a dorm holding 19 girls and then ambushed arriving guards with 
homemade weapons, said Perrin Damon, a youth authority spokeswoman.
"They had weapons fashioned from everyday things," Damon said.
The girls made it as far as a recreation yard but were blocked by a pair 
of high fences and assisting officers from Albany and the Linn County 
Sheriff's Office. "They never breached the perimeter," Damon said.
The security guards were treated at a local hospital and released. One 
of the guards required 32 stitches to his head, said Damon.






http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-prisonriot_13tex.ART.State.Edition2.4a7fc2d.html

West Texas inmates riot, take 2 hostages
12:00 AM CST on Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Associated Press
PECOS, Texas – Rioting inmates released one of two hostages they took 
Friday at a privately run prison in West Texas.
Authorities have not released the names of the two prison employees, who 
are recreation specialists at the Reeves County Detention Center.
The federal inmates include immigration detainees. They were asking for 
better medical treatment, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper John 
Barton told the Pecos Enterprise Friday night.
Officials say the riot started after noon, when the body of an inmate 
who died of natural causes was removed from the prison.
A hostage negotiator was talking to the inmates, Reeves County Sheriff's 
spokesman Michael Estorga told the Odessa American.
Fire crews and additional law enforcement were called to the sprawling 
prison complex after a fire broke out in one building.
A woman who answered a phone call at the warden's office of the prison 
complex said she had no comment.
The GEO Group, based in Boca Raton, Fla., has run the jail through 
contracts with Reeves County and the Federal Bureau of Prisons since 
2003. The prison holds more than 2,400 inmates.
The Associated Press








http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2018421.ece#OTC-RSS&ATTR=News

Prison cops in 5hr Muslim riot
By JOHN KAY
and JAMIE PYATT
Published: 09 Dec 2008

A FIVE-hour rampage by young Muslim prisoners armed with hammers and 
chisels was broken up by a riot squad yesterday.
Dozens of inmates barricaded themselves into a workshop and grabbed 
tools including saws.
Riot police and 100 specially-trained prison officers - kitted out with 
body armour, shields and helmets - were called in.
When negotiations failed, the officers moved in and overpowered the 
prisoners - many of whom were teenagers.
No injuries to staff were reported but there was said to be 
"considerable damage" to the workshop.
Some of the rioters suffered minor bruises.
It is believed the rampage at Aylesbury Young Offenders' Institution 
started after inmates celebrated the Muslim festival of Eid which marks 
the end of Ramadan.
The nick in Bucks holds 435 men aged between 17 and 21, with a large 
ethnic minority population.
Most are serving long sentences, including life.








http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3685105/Asian-inmates-run-riot-during-Eid-at-Aylesbury-centre.html

Asian inmates run riot during Eid at Aylesbury centre
Dozens of Asian inmates destroyed workshops at a young offender 
institution after running riot during Eid celebrations.

By Tom Whitehead, Home Affairs Editor
Published: 6:30PM GMT 08 Dec 2008
Up to 80 detainees at Aylesbury YOI, including a large group of Asians, 
armed themselves with hammers, knives, saws and other tools as they kept 
prison officers at bay for six hours during the major disturbance.
More than 100 specially trained prison staff in riot gear eventually 
stormed the workshops at 5pm to end what the prison service described as 
"concerted indiscipline" but not before "significant damage" had been 
caused.
The ringleaders were last night expected to be split up and sent to 
other centres.
The unrest began around 11.15am at the Buckinghamshire centre, which 
holds up to 435 young men, including some of the worst, most violent 
young offenders.
Around one in ten are understood to be lifers.
The incident, described by the Prison Service as "concerted 
indiscipline," was believed to have broken out during protests as Asian 
inmates celebrating the festival of Eid.
An inspectors report in 2005 revealed the majority of inmates are 
serving long sentences and there is a large ethnic minority population.
The disturbance was contained to the centre's two workshops, which 
inmates are believed to have trashed during the incident, although there 
was little structural damages according to Ministry of Justice sources
Police from across the Thames Valley were also taken to the scene to the 
help the prison service and a major operation to search every offender 
involved in the incident was underway last night to check none has 
smuggled a potential weapon out with them.
The MoJ denied suggestions metal detector arches had been taken to the site.
Tom Robson, executive officer of the Prison Officers' Association, said 
at one point staff were having to "fight" with the inmates to restore 
order.
He said it was a "serious incident" and officers from other prisons had 
been called in to help.
There were no reports of injuries.








http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/09/youngpeople-youthjustice

Riot at young offenders jail to be investigated
Prison officers had to call for back-up after disturbance broke out 
yesterday morning, lasting until late afternoon
An investigation has been launched into a riot that saw inmates fighting 
with prison officers at a young offenders jail.
Police and staff from other jails were called in to back up prison 
officers at Aylesbury young offenders institution after the disturbance 
broke out at 11.15am yesterday.
The Prison Officers' Association said its members had to fight with the 
inmates to restore order. The body's executive officer, Tom Robson, 
described it as a "serious incident".
The riot ended when specially trained prison service staff intervened at 
5pm. There were no reports of any injuries to offenders or staff.
The Prison Service said it would conduct a full investigation into the 
circumstances of the incident. The police will also hold an investigation.
The institution houses up to 435 young men on the site of a Victorian 
prison and former borstal. It holds the longest-sentenced young adult 
males in the English prison system.
A 2005 report by the chief inspector of prisons, Anne Owers, found that 
one-fifth of prisoners were "unoccupied" at some point during the day 
and called for an increase in training and education provision. She said 
there were a "significant number of issues" that needed urgent attention 
at the prison.








http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/35757094.html

SHERIFF: Inmates start fire in Roane Co. jail to protest overcrowding 
Save Email Print

Posted: 5:40 PM Dec 8, 2008
Last Updated: 5:55 PM Dec 8, 2008
Reporter: Rob Pratt
Email Address: rob.pratt at wvlt-tv.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Roane County Sheriff is dealing with 
another problem. He says inmates set a fire at the jail Saturday night, 
leading to a full response from fire and police crews from all over the 
county.
The sheriff says with over a hundred inmates in a jail designed for half 
that many, frustration sometimes leads to problems like this. This 
situation ended without any injuries. An overcrowding solution is on the 
way. The sheriff hopes it comes before the next problem.
Take a look at these flames, captured by a jail security camera Saturday 
night around ten. All it takes to ignite a fire like this is Styrofoam 
cups, toilet paper, a smuggled lighter, and some frustrated inmates.
Jack Stockton, Roane County Sheriff, says, "Overcrowding's always been a 
problem and that was a factor the other night and that's what they 
claim, the reason they did what they did was to just get some attention 
on the overcrowding issue that we're dealing with at this time."
The sheriff says he moved five inmates to jails in Anderson and Loudon 
Counties after the fire. He says he'll pursue criminal charges against 
the fire starters. But it's the powder keg of overcrowding that worries 
him most.
"We have about double what the state says we're allowed to hold and we 
had some problems with a decertification back in the fall and we're 
still under that status at this time due to the overcrowding issue."
Crews are rolling in beds at the new 172 inmate jail across the road. 
The sheriff says this will east the overcrowding problem for a while. 
But the new jail won't open for at least another seven months. Stockton 
says when it does, space alone won't cure all that ails the jail.
"We're going to need several more staff to control the new facility or 
we're going to end up with another issue like we had Saturday where we 
won't have enough people to control an issue if something gets out of 
hand."
The sheriff says officers are looking closely at the video and other 
evidence. He says once that investigation is done, he plans to prosecute 
those responsible fully. So the inmates' fiery protest about the 
overcrowded jail could mean they'll have to spend more time in it.
















http://www.nowpublic.com/world/hunger-strikers-win-victory-greek-prison-protest-0

Hunger strikers win victory in Greek prison protest

uploaded by Teacher Dude November 21, 2008 at 05:02 am
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After an 18 - day hunger strike involving over half of Greece's prison 
population the government has said that it will agree to 14 out of the 
inmate's 16 demands. These include the shortening of sentences and 
improvements in basic hygiene and medical services.

Justice minister, Sotris Hadzigakis has agreed to present legislation to 
parliament that is aimed at alleviating the severe overcrowding in the 
prison system by allowing the early release of 5500 prisoner by April 2009.

Last year the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of 
Torture (CPT) noted that Athen's Kordyllio high security facility, which 
was designed to house 640 prisoner held 2043. The committee's report 
also condemned the treatment of detainees by prison officers and other 
law enforcement officials (click here to report in full) and the poor 
conditions generally in which inmates were held in jails throughout the 
country.








http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/20/europe/EU-Greece-Prison-Protest.php

Greece: Prisoners call off hunger strike

The Associated Press
Published: November 20, 2008

ATHENS, Greece: Prisoners said Thursday they will end their 18-day 
hunger strike against overcrowding in Greek lockups after the government 
proposed releasing thousands of inmates next year.
A group representing the prisoners said strikers will start accepting 
food Friday.
The decision came after the Justice Ministry unveiled draft legislation 
allowing the early release of 5,500 prisoners by April 2009, to relieve 
severe overcrowding.
The country's total prison population is around 12,300 in penitentiaries 
designed to hold 8,243.
Justice Minister Sotiris Hadjigakis said most will be released through a 
review of parole rules for convicts serving up to five years, and a 
reduction in the maximum pretrial detention period.
"This will end the unpleasant situation in some prisons where you had 
inmates serving lighter sentences sharing cells with people convicted of 
severe crimes," he said.
According to the Prisoners' Rights Initiative, participation in the 
18-day hunger strike exceeded 5,800 by Thursday, while another 2,200 
inmates were refusing prison meals but receiving food from visitors.
Hadjigakis said the draft legislation would not include drug smugglers 
and people convicted of "gruesome" crimes.
He said the bill would be presented Parliament on Thursday night. The 
governing conservatives hold 151 of the 300 seats in the legislature.







http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/242588,greece-to-release-more-than-5000-prisoners-by-april-due.html

Greece to release more than 5,000 prisoners by April due to protests

Posted : Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:03:19 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Europe (World)

Athens - Greece said on Thursday it will release more than 5,000 
prisoners by April and reduce jail terms for hundreds more, particularly 
drug addicts who need rehabilitation with the aim at easing the 
country's overcrowded prisons. Greek Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis 
said the reforms were taken after thousands of inmates at 21 prisons 
across Greece launched a hunger strike more than two weeks ago, with 
many sewing their mouths shut to protest poor conditions, overcrowding, 
drug dealing and lengthy pre-trail detention periods.
Prisoners are also demanding that social and political leaders be 
granted easier access to prisons.
Hatzigakis said a total of 3,720 prisoners would benefit from early 
release, namely those found guilty of misdemeanors who have already 
served one-fifth of their sentence.
The reforms also contain a provision allowing those convicted to terms 
of up to five years in jail to pay off their sentences. Those convicted 
of drug dealing will be excluded from all exemptions.
He said a total of 5,500 inmates would be released by April.
Greece's prisons are among the most overcrowded in Europe with 12,300 
inmates crammed into jails designed to hold just 7,543.
According to the Council of Europe, detainees in Greece have to wait an 
average of 12 months in pre-trial detention before they go to trial, 
nearly three times that of other European Union states.
Protesters, whose cause has been backed by the Coalition of the Radical 
Left (SYRIZA) and other left-wing parties, object to overcrowding and 
are demanding better jail conditions, including proper medical care and 
restrictions on the time that detainees awaiting trial must spend behind 
bars.
An organization called Democratic Rally, who is backing the protesting 
prisoners, has dismissed the Justice Ministry's initiative, saying the 
immediate release of prisoners was not a comprehensive solution to the 
problem of overcrowding in prisons.
"The reduction of the length of time that authorities can remand a 
suspect in custody pending trial and the introduction of more effective 
measures to rehabilitate drug addicts in jail would be more useful 
initiatives," the group state in a statement.







http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/239779,prisoners-launch-hunger-strike-across-greece-to-protest-conditions.html

Prisoners launch hunger strike across Greece to protest conditions
Posted : Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:42:09 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : World

Athens - Inmates in 21 prisons across Greece launched a hunger strike on 
Monday to protest overcrowding and lengthy pre-trial detention periods. 
Thousands of inmates, including Athens' top-security Korydallos prison 
and the Alikarnassos prison on the Mediterranean island of Crete, 
launched the strike by boycotting all food.
Officials from the Initiative for Prisoners' Rights group said the 
inmates were demanding better jail conditions, including proper medical 
care and restrictions on the time that detainees awaiting trial must 
spend behind bars.
According to the Council of Europe, detainees can wait an average of 12 
months in pre-trial detention before they go to trial, nearly three 
times that of other European Union states.
Prisoners are also demanding that social and political leaders be 
granted easier access to prisons.
"We are not suffering under the delusion that the ministry will accept 
all our demands; our goal is one small victory to bring a breath of 
fresh air into this oppressive situation," Panos Lambrou, the 
representative of the prisoners' support group, said.
Greece's prisons are among the most overcrowded in Europe with 10,983 
inmates crammed into jails designed to hold just 7,543.








http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/11/europe/EU-Greece-Prison-Protest.php

Greek group says 4,000 inmates on hunger strike

The Associated Press
Published: November 11, 2008

ATHENS, Greece: Thousands of Greek prison inmates were staging a hunger 
strike to protest overcrowding and poor living conditions, a prison 
rights group said Tuesday.
Some 4,000 have been refusing all food but drinking liquids for a week, 
while another 4,000 were rejecting prison meals but accepting food from 
visiting friends and relatives, Prisoners' Rights Initiative said.
That would mean 8,000 inmates — or two-thirds of Greece's 12,200 prison 
population — were participating in the strike to some degree. The 
Justice Ministry, however, put the total number of participants at 
6,500. There was no immediate way of reconciling the differing tolls or 
independently confirming either of them.
The prisoners are demanding better living conditions, including improved 
health care and less time in pretrial detention — demands that have 
gained support from the local Amnesty International office, lawyers' 
associations and former political prisoners including composer Mikis 
Theodorakis, jailed during Greece's 1967-74 military dictatorship.
Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis said he would meet members of the 
protest campaign group Wednesday.
"This is an uprising of desperate people," said protest organizer Panos 
Lambrou, who is not an inmate.
Greece's 24 prisons are designed to hold a total of 8,000 inmates, 
according to government figures, but Lambrou said they often fail to 
provide basic health and sanitation facilities and offer few 
job-training opportunities.
A government committee on prison policy offered the justice minister a 
list of recommendations Tuesday that it said could lead to the release 
of 1,500 inmates. The proposals include early release provisions for 
minor offenses, making more crimes punishable by fines instead of jail 
time and more lenient parole guidelines for drug abusers.









http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=97283

Security forces break up riot involving Islamist inmates at Roumieh

Daily Star staff
Friday, October 31, 2008
Listen to the Article - Powered by
Security forces on Wednesday contained a prison riot among Islamist 
inmates at Roumieh Central Prison, Lebanon's largest. According to a 
report carried by the state-run National News Agency, "limited" chaos 
spread inside the Roumieh facility after Islamists entered into a 
quarrel. Security forces inside the prison intervened to control the clash.







http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081120/jsp/siliguri/story_10135052.jsp

Jail averts food protest
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Cooch Behar, Nov. 19: Caught on the wrong foot after Greater Cooch Behar 
People’s Association chief, Bangshi Badan Barman and 55 members of the 
outfit boycotted dinner last night and decided to go on an indefinite 
hunger-strike to claim the status of political prisoners, the jail 
authorities promised that they would look into the demand.
The jail authorities visited the residence of Barman’s lawyer, Shiben 
Roy, this morning and it was through his mediation that the prisoners 
decided not to sit on the hunger-strike.
“It is a fact that 56 prisoners implicated in the September 20, 2005 
incident had boycotted their dinner last evening, saying none of them 
was allowed to meet their relatives who had come to meet them in the 
jail and had decided to sit on an indefinite hunger-strike from this 
morning. However, they changed the decision after the jail authorities 
had said they would be treated as political prisoners,” Roy said.
He added that the jail superintendent had paid him a visit at home this 
morning and requested him to take up the matter with Bangshi.
“I assured him that if the jail authorities would allow the 56 men to 
meet their relatives and not be treated as ordinary prisoners, they 
would not sit on hunger-strike,” Roy said. He added that the court had 
accorded political prisoner status for all of them, but the jail 
authorities had not been complying with the direction.
The jail authorities, however, refused comment on the development. 
Sources said the jail superintendent was in his quarters every time a 
call was made to the office landline.
All 56 men are put behind bars in connection with the incident in 2005 
when an indefinite hunger-strike here turned violent and an additional 
police superintendent and two policemen were beaten to death by a mob 
and two association supporters had died in police firing.
Barman had surrendered before the chief judicial magistrate on May 25, 
2006. Roy said the court had accorded them political prisoner status on 
June 30, 2006.
Sources in the jail said the inmates’ visitors had to write their names 
in a register before the prisoners were brought to the gate to speak to 
them. They said there was no fixed time limit for the meetings and they 
lasted between five to 10 minutes depending upon the number of visitors. 
The visiting hours are between 10am and 2pm daily.







http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1042260.html

Last update - 22:20 30/11/2008

Rabin assassin declares hunger strike to protest prison conditions By 
Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Rabin-assassin, yigal Amir
The man who assassinated former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin declared a 
hunger strike on Sunday to protest the recent escalation of penalties 
against him in prison.

Earlier this month, Prisons Services announced that Yigal Amir would be 
receiving extra punishment in jail for granting an interview with 
Channels 10 and 2 without the permission from his wardens.

The initial broadcasting of excerpts from the interview raised such an 
uproar that Channels 2 and 10 decided to pull the full program before 
its scheduled airing.

In the interview - aired just before the anniversary of Rabin's death - 
Amir spoke about how the idea to commit the murder initially came about.

He that he was at a wedding also attended by Rabin, and realized that 
the prime minister was protected by only one bodyguard.

"If I were to shake his hand, I could have easily shot him, if I had 
wanted to," Amir told Channel 10. "I was inside with a gun. I saw that 
it was so easy, and told myself that in several years I would regret not 
having killed him."

Following the interview, Amir was transferred to an isolated cell in a 
prison ward in southern Israel, where hundreds of security prisoners are 
incarcerated.

He was stripped of all benefits until further notice and is no longer 
eligible for conjugal visits with his wife. He also does not have the 
right to conduct telephone conversations or to hold any kind of 
electronics in his cell.







http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10565276

Police will shoot fugitive if necessary
Page 1 of 2 View as a single page 3:00AM Sunday Apr 05, 2009
Anna Leask

William Alexander Stewart. Photo / Supplied
Police hunting for William Alexander Stewart say they will shoot on 
sight if they have to.
Police say the escaper is a "certain danger" to police and the public, 
and is probably "feasting on the attention". He is no romantic folk 
hero, no Ned Kelly or George Wilder.
The pursuit of Stewart began in February as a routine arrest warrant.
But now, in what is turning into one of New Zealand's most high-profile 
manhunts, Stewart, 47, has busted at least two police cordons during his 
flight from armed police.
Police regard him as dangerous, having threatened officers with violence 
before.
He was released from Christchurch Men's Prison late last year, after 
serving time for kidnapping his partner, viciously assaulting her and 
holding her captive in a Nelson motel in 2007.
It is understood Stewart had been living between Christchurch and Timaru 
after his release from prison. A warrant to arrest him was issued in 
October after he was found growing cannabis - a breach of his release 
conditions.
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Inspector Malcolm Johnston said a lone police officer spotted Stewart in 
Rangitata, South Canterbury, on February 10.
"A violent scuffle ensued, during which Stewart picked up a metal bar 
and threatened the officer," he said.
"The officer was forced to back off and Stewart jumped into a vehicle 
and took off."
Stewart has been on the run since. He is alleged to have stolen drugs 
from a Fairlie pharmacy on February 15, then from the Leeston pharmacy 
on March 18.
The next day, Halswell Chemist in Christchurch was ram-raided, and armed 
police set up a cordon near Governors Bay. He escaped that cordon and 
another in a stolen car.
The last suspected sighting was on Wednesday on the outskirts of Methven 
after thefts from a service station and another pharmacy.
Police say his offending is not serious - mainly burglaries and thefts - 
but his history of drug use, the likelihood that he is armed and has 
shown violence to police mean he is a threat to the safety of officers 
and the public.
Detective Senior Sergeant John Rae said in any armed offenders 
situation, officers were given a full briefing on their responsibilities 
under the law and police guidelines.
"Nobody wants the paperwork or the investigation into them as a result 
of shooting someone," he said.
"No one will be taking pot shots at him across a paddock. However, if 
that situation presents itself then that's what we will do."
"He is a real threat to the public," Rae added.
"There is no guarantee he is free of drugs. All you've got to do is hear 
a noise in your house at night, get up and he's pinned in a corner ... 
if you catch him in your house he's going to make a strenuous effort to 
get away."
The Herald on Sunday has learned police have spoken to Stewart's mother, 
who lives in South Canterbury, to former partners around the region and 
to known associates including men he met in prison.
"Most of those people have the attitude that he's more trouble than he's 
worth. He is bringing police into their lives when they don't want 
police in their lives," a source close to the investigation said.
"He doesn't have serious friends, more business associates. His best 
friends are his [drug] dealers and buyers. He seems to be quite a loner."
Since February 10, he is believed to have committed at least five house 
burglaries, stealing food and vehicles, including a motorbike and a Ford 
Falcon XR6 with a full tank of petrol.
The enormity of the area is making the police search difficult.
FAMOUS ESCAPES
William Alexander Stewart's South Island crime spree is similar to that 
of New Zealand's most famous escaper, "Gentleman" George Wilder - but 
police say he is no gentleman.
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Wilder was infamous for breaking into houses while on the run from 
police and allegedly leaving apology and thank you notes for his 
victims. He was even said to have joined a search party looking for him.
In May 1962 Wilder broke out of a New Plymouth jail, where he was 
serving time for burglary and theft. He then eluded about 30 police, and 
a tracker dog for 65 days.
Wilder made his second jail break, from Mt Eden in January 1963, and was 
not recaptured till 172 days later, near Taupo. His final bid for 
freedom came in February 1964, again from Mt Eden.
Wilder and two others, armed with a sawn-off shotgun, kidnapped a warden 
and hid in a Mt Eden house, holding the residents hostage. Three hours 
later, under threat of tear gas, Wilder surrendered.
Prison escapees Kevin Polwart and Dean Vincent were also compared with 
Wilder.
Polwart evaded police for 41 days after breaking out of Rimutaka Prison 
in June 2001. Vincent was on the run for almost a year after escaping 
from Waikeria Prison in May 2000.








---------------------------------------------------

The making of martyrs

Sydney Morning Herald - November 1, 2008

Tom Allard, Jakarta -- For three men who say they
welcome death, the Bali bombers have spent a lot of
time trying to avoid it. In the five years since
Mukhlas, Amrozi and Imam Samudra greeted their
guilty verdicts and death sentences with fist-
pumping glee and shouts of "Infidel die", they have
fought at every turn their moment with the firing
squad.

Perhaps these killers of 202 people are not so
comfortable with meeting their maker. But they are
truly fanatics and a far more worrying explanation
for their antics offers itself. This spectacle was
engineered by hardline Islamists, high-powered
lawyers and wealthy businessmen to keep the
headlines running, to increase the killers'
notoriety, to publicise their cause and, along the
way, to make money on the side.

"The Bali bombers want to be martyrs," says Sidney
Jones, the Jakarta-based terrorism expert from the
International Crisis Group. "And it's much easier
to be a martyr if a lot of people are following
your every word. In this respect, their strategy
has worked."

The strategy has two interlinked elements: the
first, to launch one legal challenge after another
to create an impression that the killers are the
victims of a crooked justice system; the second, to
generate maximum media coverage.

Many Australians will be familiar with the open day
held at Nusakambangan prison last month when the
smiling and unrepentant bombers cavorted with
journalists, especially brought in for the occasion
to mark the Islamic holiday of Idul Fitri, when
Muslims break a month-long fast.

Taunting their victims and vowing revenge upon
their deaths, the manic flight of the Bali bombers
was relayed around the world, accompanied by
widespread anger at Indonesian authorities for
allowing such an event.

But it was only the beginning of a media blitz.
Despite maximum-security incarceration on death
row, the bombers have given at least half a dozen
interviews in the past few weeks. Indonesian
television has run lengthy feature programs, while
CNN, Al Jazeera and the BBC have broadcast their
own interviews.

Each has been a variation of a theme. The bombers
claim to be warriors for Islam, show no remorse and
predict a firestorm of attacks against Westerners
after they die. "A lot of the coverage fails to
remind people of what the bombers have done that
led them to prison life and facing the death
sentence," says Hendardi, chairman of the religious
tolerance-promoting Setara Institute for Democracy
and Peace in Indonesia. "I don't know if it's been
done deliberately or not, but this kind of coverage
gives them an opportunity to campaign."

This week Indonesia's Communication and Information
Minister, Muhammad Nuh, urged media restraint.
"Don't make people who committed violence seem like
heroes, because Islam does not use violence in
solving problems," he said. "I don't intervene in
the press. But please ponder to put the national
interest upon the interest of press freedom when it
comes to terrorism."

Fine sentiments, but the Indonesian state has been
the facilitator of this orgy of Bali bomber
stories. To be sure, Indonesia's Government has
made enormous headway in combating terrorism. Its
police have arrested hundreds of violent jihadists
and pioneered methods of deradicalisation that have
been innovative and replicated elsewhere. There
have been no attacks since the second Bali bombings
in October 2005.

But willingness to give the likes of the Bali
bombers a megaphone by regularly granting them
access to the media is deeply puzzling. "It's not
against their human rights to stop these people
having their views aired every other night on
national television," Jones says.

While media attention reached a peak in recent
weeks, the prison freedom afforded the Bali bombers
for years has been extraordinary, a testament to
the lack of security and culture of bribes in
Indonesian jails. For a time, Imam Samudra kept a
laptop in his cell. He communicated with other
members of Jemaah Islamiah, set up his own website
-- instimata.com, or martyrdom.com -- and fielded
questions about the Bali bombings and dispensed
advice on jihad. He also published "Me Against The
Terrorists", a book in which he repeats his Bali
bombing defence as the righteous killing of
infidels and also offers a primer on how to
undertake cybercrime and build terrorist networks
online.

The royalties went to his family, with lawyers and
publisher also taking cuts.

Money is a big part of the story. The bombers have
become a burgeoning cottage industry. Most media
interviews come at a hefty price and there's no
shortage of donors funding the legal team, which
has done rather well for itself in attracting more
work.

The Muslim Defence Team of ideologically driven yet
savvy lawyers has shadowed the Bali bombers since
their arrests. They have acted for other militants,
from Abu Bakar Bashir to members of the Islamic
Defenders Front, a gang of young men accused of
regularly attacking moderate Muslims and non-
Muslims.

The lawyers know how to work the Indonesian
judicial system and are apparently well-connected.
Clients include Muchdi Purwopranjono, the former
deputy head of the Indonesian intelligence agency
who is on trial for allegedly ordering the
poisoning of a prominent human rights activist.

This week the lawyers were still threatening legal
challenges on behalf of the Bali bombers. One
included joining Amnesty International in a
challenge before an international court.

The Bali bombers have said they do not care about
the manner of their executions, yet the lawyers
launched a challenge arguing death by firing squad
was torture, and therefore unconstitutional. Such
episodes illustrate the hijacking of the bombers'
fates for the lawyers' own ends.

The Setara institute's Hendardi says a minority of
Indonesians side with the bombers, citing a recent
survey finding that only 3 per cent support violent
promotion of a religious agenda. But Indonesia has
more than 220 million people; even a fringe group
can be formidable if it can mobilise its members.
And a noisy minority can have a disproportionate
influence in a country still building democratic
institutions and identity, and where much of the
population is poorly educated.

Certainly, a major security effort by police is
timed to curtail violence associated with the
executions, which can occur any time from this
morning. The bodies of the executed will be flown
to their burial places to minimise public rancour.

Militants have been thin on the ground. Perhaps
they are biding their time, or perhaps Indonesians
-- even the radical -- have become bored with the
over-exposed Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Mukhlas. It's
what happens after they die, however, that will
test the bombers' influence.

[Tom Allard is the Herald's Jakarta correspondent.]

---------------------------------------------------









http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=413e55db3c6d5eac317d63edb8ce03d8&from=rss

Tijuana Prison Riots Highlight Torture, Abuse
La Prensa-San Diego, News Report, Mariana Martinez, Posted: Oct 02, 2008
Editor's Note: Twenty-five people are dead after two riots at the 
overcrowded Tijuana State Penitentiary.

Twenty-five people are dead after two riots at the Tijuana State 
Penitentiary where 8,500 inmates are housed in a building well over 200 
percent over its original capacity.

The first uprising came after a 19-year-old inmate died from a blow to 
the head, inflicted by the prison guards. His was only the latest in a 
series of deaths linked to torture practices in Mexican prisons.

After word got out about his death, both family members and inmates 
decided to confront authorities in what they say is systematic abuse, 
torture, sexual molestation and threats.

For many, the riot was long overdue, due to the deep tears in the 
Mexican judicial system, where justice is still rarely available for the 
poor, and rampant corruption and political interests still dictate 
privilege for the few.

They saw it coming

The first of the two Tijuana jail riots lasted over 12 hours, leaving 
four people dead and dozens injured, including six police officers. A 
second riot happened 48 hours later, leaving 17 inmates dead. Two more 
inmates died gun shoot wounds at the hospital.

One more was found beaten to death in his cell early morning, Tuesday 
Sept. 22 and authorities are charging four of his cell companions with 
first degree murder.

The first riot broke out after the death of 19-year-old Israel Márquez 
Blanco, who was convicted of car theft, after guards found a cellphone 
and drugs in his cell.

According to human rights officials, his body had clear evidence of torture.

His 17-year-old sister Mayra Márquez Blanco went to the morgue to 
identify her brother. “His body was all beaten, full of scars. He was 
handcuffed. They put a book over his stomach and they beat him with a 
baseball bat, until he died from a blow to his head. He was covered in 
bleach and his arm was broken,” she sobbed. “That’s why all this 
destruction started -- they saw how they killed my brother.”

She is now one more voice joining many family members, inmates, human 
rights and religious groups seeking to stop the common practice of 
torture, abuse, bribery and neglect.

The Tijuana prison, known as “La Peni” -- short for penitentiary -- is 
the most overcrowded in the country.

And it might get worse as Mexicans, scared of kidnappings and drug 
violence, call for harsher sentences for criminals, and ex-convicts who 
are being deported from the United States end up back in jail.

The underlying issues and pressure at border towns

According to an investigation by Milenio newspaper, only 1 percent of 
crimes in Mexico end in someone being sentenced. Judges see an average 
of just 12 cases per month and more than 50 percent of inmates are 
jailed for a non-violent crime with a $50 bail.

The International Center for Prison Studies at Kings College of London 
found that prisons in Mexico are overcrowded (126 percent of capacity), 
nearly half of inmates have not been to trial (41 percent) and less than 
1 percent are foreign nationals.

The picture is even worse in border towns like Tijuana, where prison 
overcrowding is at 200 percent, more than 60 percent of inmates are not 
yet sentenced or are in an active trial and gangs are even more 
prevalent than in Southern states.

Of the 8,500 inmates at the Tijuana prison where the riot took place, 
more than 400 came from the United States, many of them deported after 
serving time in U.S. prisons: Immigration authorities deport ex-convicts 
from nine states trough Tijuana, and many of these soon end up back in jail.

International agreements require federal U.S. authorities to tell their 
Mexican counterparts when they deport an ex-convict or dangerous 
criminal, but many times this information doesn’t flow to state and 
local levels. The result is that career criminals are often mixed in 
with first-time offenders and non-violent criminals.

For Human Rights State Commissioner Francisco Javier Sanchez Corona, 
overpopulation or mixed-population is not to blame for the riots.

The real problem, he says, lies in the procurement of justice, which is 
slow and elusive, and jails not creating an environment for 
rehabilitation as is called for in the Mexican Constitution.

“We are convinced that the insecurity problem should not be tackled and 
cannot be solved with more police or more guns,” he explains. "It is a 
problem that has to do with the lack of opportunities for the 
population, lack of employment opportunities, culture, education, access 
to health, and this is what’s generating the serious problem we now face.”

Alicia Aguilar Dávalos, president of the Inmate Family Member Committee, 
has long been asking for guards to be investigated when abuse and 
bribery claims occur.

She, along with the Human Rights Commission, has documented at least 10 
torture cases, including plastic bags being put over the head of an 
inmate, who is then submerged in bleach, anal rape with a broomstick and 
electric shocks to the genitals as punishment for not giving bribes.

“I pulled the alarms many times prior, saying, 'This is happening, they 
are torturing, they are being beaten.' The inmates in the punishment 
cells were on a hunger strike because they had complied with the 
punishment and were not let go. They started the hunger strike and they 
got a brutal, fierce beating. That’s what fueled the fire even more,” 
said Davalos.

After the riots, Baja California Governor José Guadalupe Osuna Millán 
removed the three top state prison officials and named new ones.

Two hundred and fifty of the inmates have been moved to other jails and 
six more where taken to a maximum security prison after their 
involvement in the riots.

There is a severed hand at the Coroners' Office and no one knows who it 
belongs to.

But for Mayra, her mother and at least 22 other families whose loved 
ones are dead, the promise of reform or justice is a hollow one.

"He had just 10 months before getting out, and look, he came out early 
but only because he is dead,” said Mayra about her older brother.





http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7673481.stm

Thursday, 16 October 2008 10:42 UK

Four killed in Pakistan jail riot
At least four inmates have been killed and a dozen injured during a riot 
in a prison in southern Pakistan.
Officials said guards at the Malir district prison in Karachi opened 
fire to prevent a group of prisoners attempting to break out through a 
gate.
Prisoners have complained of harsh treatment and overcrowding in the 
jail, which houses more than 2,500 inmates, twice its original capacity.
Karachi's central jail saw a similar riot over conditions on Monday.






http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=141281

Three prisoners killed in massive jail riot Inmates take policemen 
hostage, assume partial control of Malir Jail

Thursday, October 16, 2008
By Salis bin Perwaiz

Karachi

A violent protest broke out in Malir Jail on Wednesday and the ensuing 
clashes between the prisoners of Malir jail and the jail police claimed 
the lives of at least three prisoners. The prisoners, who had gained 
total control of the jail premises for while, tore down barracks and 
also torched the offices of jail officials as well as the 
recently-established Industry set up within the prisons. Seven people, 
including three police officials, were injured.

At last report, as the police continued to make headway into the jail 
premises, prisoners had demanded that they want to speak to the media 
and negotiations between jail authorities and the prisoners were on. The 
prisoners had threatened to commit suicide if the police tried to resort 
to excessive force. As per the details, in the evening, while some 
prisoners were working and others were meeting friends and family during 
visiting hours, an under-trial prisoner, Akram Mahroof, caught by the 
local police for committing a robbery at the residence of a local 
business tycoon, executed a jail-break plot with his accomplices.

Mahroof, along with his accomplices, stormed the main gate of the prison 
and tried to break it down. However, in the meantime, a heavy 
contingency of jail police reached the spot.

Commotion ensued in the jail premises and the accomplices of Akram, 
joined by other prisoners, started breaking the locks of the barracks. 
Later, they managed to break down the main gate of the Malir prison, but 
were confronted by a heavy contingency of jail and local police - who 
forced the prisoners back in the premises. The inmates then also got 
support from another group of prisoners that had been protesting against 
the behaviour of the jail staff and demanding new barracks.

The collective and reinforced mob of under-trial prisoners started 
torching and breaking the barracks, the offices and broke the furniture 
of the Malir Jail Superintendent’s office. Law-enforcement personnel 
immediately started taking their positions as the prisoners were trying 
to flee from the jail premises, and began tear-gas shelling.

In the meantime, some prisoners took four police officials hostage and 
snatched their weapons and started firing at the police. Police 
retaliated, killing three inmates, Ghulab Khan, Lahooti, Abdul Yahi. 
Four were injured and were identified as Bakhar, Asghar Hussain, Tafseer 
and Faisal Masih. Three police officials were also injured in the firing.

When contacted, IG Prisons, Sindh, Mohammed Yamin Khan, said that the 
law and order situation was created by known dacoit Akram Mahroof and 
they had broken the main gate of Malir jail and also torched the jail 
industry and offices.

He added that, as soon as he was informed, he immediately moved towards 
Malir Jail and also called upon the DIG East Zone A.D. Khwaja along with 
his zonal force, and also took help from Pakistan Rangers and the 
Frontier Constabulary. After hours of resistance, he said, they brought 
the situation under control. The Advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister on 
Jail Affairs Gul Mohammed Jakhrani also reached the spot and started 
negotiating with the prisoners to return to their barracks.

Sources said that, while the Malir Jail had a capacity of about 1,900 
prisoners, there are more than 4,000 housed there, including Indian 
fishermen. There are only 50 to 60 Jail police personnel to control the 
4,000 prisoners.







http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?206796

Death toll in Malir jail riots, reaches 3
Wednesday October 15, 2008 (2259 PST)

KARACHI:The death toll of Malir Jail violence has reached 3 dead.
Five policemen, who had earlier been held as hostages have also been 
rescued safely, while the otherwise peaceful jail premises have been 
temporarily handed over to rangers. Sources have informed that in 
aftermath of what is being termed as the biggest incident, among 
countless minor ones, panic and sense of insecurity existed among 
prisoners.
Sources also indicate a growing incidence of such volatile kind of 
protests by prisoners, which reflects growing insecurity and distrust of 
inmates over jail officials.
It is pertinent to note that a similar volatile attitude of prisoners, 
protesting against inhuman attitude of jail attitude, lack of space for 
prisoners, and not producing the prisoners before courts for trails was 
observed a day earlier.







http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=140838

Riot breaks out in Central Jail Jail superintendent injured in clash 
between police, prisoners

Tuesday, October 14, 2008
By Xari Jalil

Karachi

A riot broke out in Central Jail on Monday evening, during which Jail 
Superintendent Nusrat Hussain Mangan, along with other jail officials, 
was injured.

Around 35 prisoners from the Central Jail Karachi started a protest at 
around 7 p.m. Soon after, the protest started turning ugly as the 
inmates began climbing the rooftops of the jail building. To control the 
situation, the jail police was called in, and they began to fire rubber 
bullets at the prisoners, who in turn pelted stones at the jail 
administration and the jail police.

According to details, the protest started when a prisoner belonging to 
the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, (JSQM) was shifted to the Solitary 
Confinement. Over 30 of his companions started to protest against this 
action and demanded that he be shifted back to his barrack. “Besides 
this, they also had two other points to protest against,” said a source 
from the jail. “They were demanding a change of barracks and for better 
facilities in the jail, and also they were angry at the fact that many 
of their relatives had to pay a large amount of money in order to meet 
them, and demanded that this should be stopped.”

During the episode, the SP Jail, Nusrat Mangan, was injured along with 
some of his other officers. One head constable was also injured, as were 
some 30 inmates.

When the situation was becoming out of hand, the police began a baton 
charge, but was returned with a similar treatment from the prisoners. A 
Head Constable, who was taken to the Civil Hospital in an injured state, 
claimed that the prisoners had sticks hidden and stored with them inside 
the barracks.

Around two hours later, IG Jails Yamin Khan claimed that the situation 
had come under control, and the inmates had been forced back into their 
cells and barracks.

Sources said that inmates who belonged to the JSQM complained that they 
were always under pressure by the jail administration because of their 
political affiliation







http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=142772

‘Lobbying, political influence responsible for jail riots’ Friday, 
October 24, 2008
By Fasahat Mohiuddin

Karachi

The political element cannot be ruled out in the recent jail riots that 
broke out in the Central Prison Karachi, Malir Jail and other prisons as 
ministers and advisers consider the jail inmates as their voters.

Experts say that inmates should be given a message that the jail rules 
and manuals are to be strictly followed. They allege that for the last 
few months, whenever the Advisor to Sindh Minister on Jail Affairs, Gul 
Mohammed Jakhrani, who belongs to Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), visits 
the jail, he pampers the jail inmates belonging to the same group. It 
may be noted that the recent riots at the Central Prison Karachi had 
erupted mainly because of the JSQM.

On the other hand, when Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza visits jails 
such as Malir Jail and Central Prison Karachi, he tells the prisoners 
that they will be provided with all the facilities, which gives them the 
courage to ask for more privileges. The biggest hurdle regarding the ill 
management of jails is Inspector General Prisons, Yameen Khan as he has 
caused various obstacles including the fact that he is not accepting the 
possession of 153 jail vans. Moreover, the over-crowdedness in jails is 
also responsible for the riots occurring within its premises, the 
experts stressed.

The expert who has been looking after all these jails in the Home 
department said that unless the jail manuals are followed strictly, 
these riots will continue. The political influence in all the jails of 
Sindh needs to be completely eliminated. The officials who had been 
looking after the jail affairs very closely said that another reason for 
jail riots is the transfer and posting of senior and junior officers at 
prisons. He further quoted that at the Central Prison Grade -18 jail 
superintendents are required while a grade 17 officer has been posted 
and two senior officers of jails are made to sit at home. The jails are 
being governed by junior officers, which again has to do with politics, 
he added.

Furthermore, illegal gratification and bribe culture prevailing in jails 
for the last sixty years is another reason behind disturbances in jails, 
he claimed. Ironically, the expert further said that although the 
government failed to provide security for the small sized District Malir 
jail, they are now planning to build a high prison security jail on a 
28-acre land adjacent to District Malir jail. The expert said that if 
this prison is built then how will the District Malir Jail staff manage 
the security of this prison which will have a capacity of 500 prisoners?

It is worth mentioning that the Central Prison Karachi has a capacity of 
1,700 prisoners and for the past several years this jail has always had 
twice the number of inmates. Similar situation prevails at Hyderabad 
Jail as well, which is why the jail riots occur. It may be recalled that 
during the PPP government when Abdullah Shah (Late) was the Sindh Chief 
Minister, a proposal was presented according to which the Central Prison 
was to be shifted to Malir and Machgoth, making this area a commercial 
block. However, the late Chief Minister could not materialise the 
proposal and the prison remains at its own place.

The News tried to contact Zulfiqar Mirza and Gul Mohammed Jakhrani for 
their comments over political bearings in jails, however, both were busy 
in meetings.










http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/10/2387526.htm

Riot prisoners list concerns
Posted Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:13pm AEDT
Updated Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:49pm AEDT

Prisoners have outlined their concerns. (ABC News)
• Map: Port Augusta 5700
• Related Story: Riot prisoners hit out at Govt
Prisoners involved in a stand-off at Port Augusta prison in South 
Australia's north have outlined their concerns to police and the 
Corrections Department.
There are 38 high security prisoners involved in the protest, which 
started yesterday afternoon in the Bluebush cell block.
The prisoners have listed grievances including overcrowding in cells.
They've highlighted the State Government's prison policy, which it 
summarised earlier this year as 'Rack 'em, pack 'em and stack 'em'.
Police chief superintendent Fred Trueman says police and specialist 
correctional services staff have been listening to the prisoners' demands.
"Those concerns as we understand them, as they have been expressed to 
us, relate to their limited accommodation, their doubling up and the 
unavailability of oval time yesterday," he said.
Lange Powell from the Department of Correctional Services says some 
property has been damaged.
"We understand that there has been, as I say, some damage to property 
within the prison, within the Bluebush unit," he said.
"We do not know the full extent and won't do so until we are able to 
resume control of that part of the prison."
Authorities are continuing to negotiate with the inmates and there are 
no reports of injuries.
'No responsibility'
The acting Premier, Kevin Foley, says he feels no responsibility for the 
stand-off at the prison.
In May, Mr Foley said 'Rack em, pack em and stack em' if that keeps out 
streets safe', in response to questions about prison overcrowding.
He has told 891 ABC the prison is not operating at capacity, and there 
is no overcrowding.
"The prison is operating as normal and the situation there today is no 
different to what it has been over the past decade, in that it is 
operating within its capacity," he said.
"So no, it is not a result of overcrowding or stress on the system.
"Prisons are not nice places, prisons are not designed for absolute 
comfort, and the doubling up of prisoners - that is two per cell - is 
both a common practice and an appropriate practice."






http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/10/2387115.htm

Prisoners camp on roof as stand-off continues
Posted Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:29am AEDT
Updated Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:27am AEDT
Slideshow: Photo 1 of 2

Up to 10 inmates have been seen camped on the roof of the jail. (ABC News)
• Map: Port Augusta 5700
A stand-off is continuing at the Port Augusta Prison in South 
Australia's north.
The South Australian Correctional Services Department is negotiating 
with rioting inmates at the prison, 300 kilometres north of Adelaide.
The Department says about 40 inmates damaged furniture and other items 
in a high security section of the prison, causing staff to lock-down the 
area.
Heavily armed police and emergency services have been at the scene for 
several hours.
Up to 10 inmates have been seen camped on the roof of the jail.
The group is dressed in black and wearing black balaclavas have been 
waving banners on the roof.
The latest banner sprawled in big black letters on a large white sheet 
says "Assault prisoners hey? No more".
Lange Powell from the State Corrections Department says the police and 
specialist staff are trying to negotiate with the prisoners.
Several MFS fire trucks have left the scene, but ambulance, CFS and 
police continue to watch on.
The jail has a high percentage of Aboriginal prisoners.
The chief executive of the South Australian Aboriginal Legal Rights 
Movement Neil Gillespie - who is in London - says he cannot comment on 
specific aspects of the latest incident.
But he says conditions in such jails are ripe for unrest.
"There has been an issue with overcrowding for quite some time," he said.
"It is very sad both for the prisoners and prisoners families and I'm 
uncertain of the background to this latest riot but it certainly doesn't 
surprise me."






http://news.smh.com.au/national/jail-riot-prompts-industrial-action-20081013-4zhf.html

Jail riot prompts industrial action
Larine Statham
October 13, 2008
Prison guards have taken industrial action in South Australia by 
refusing to transfer inmates between facilities until cell overcrowding 
issues are acknowledged.
The move follows a riot at the Port Augusta prison last week involving 
39 prisoners, some of whom climbed on to the jail's roof and used 
mattresses to publicise messages of ill treatment and overcrowding.
Public Service Association general secretary Jan McMahon said guards 
representing South Australia's eight prisons would not lift their 
industrial action until the Department of Corrective Services resolved 
"the current bed space management crisis".
But Correctional Services Minister Carmel Zollo said the prison system 
was "coping" and she was adamant jails were not overcrowded.
Ms McMahon said 92 beds had been lost at the Port Augusta facility in 
last week's riot, while some cells were without toilets, water and 
electricity and contained asbestos in the flooring.
"As a result, 12 prisoners are sleeping in a yard area," she said.
"The women's prison is the only one in the state (including the city 
watchhouse) not filled to capacity."
Ms Zollo said the policy of doubling up and using mattresses on the 
floor was appropriate in emergency situations.
She said the department's only option was to relocate some Port Augusta 
prisoners to other facilities.
But after guards voted against moving inmates and the government was 
unwilling to reveal contingency plans, a stalemate ensued.
"We're asking the unions to work with us," Ms Zollo said.
"We will take their concerns into account ... our primary concern is 
staff safety."
Meanwhile, Democrats MP Sandra Kanck said home detention and community 
service for non-violent offenders would help solve overcrowding and 
allow $500 million earmarked for new prison buildings to be spent on 
health and education.
"We all know that prisons are the universities of crime; many people 
leave prison with more information about committing crime than when they 
went in," Ms Kanck said.
But Ms Zollo said releasing prisoners into the community was not an 
option for reasons of public safety.
The government will introduce 90 new beds in jails before the end of the 
year and a further 209 in the next four years.
The Port Augusta prison remains in lock-down and is expected to stay 
that way until next week.






http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/2191420

Prisoners run riot in Australian jail
Published: 9:20PM Thursday October 09, 2008
Source: Reuters
• Read
Dozens of inmates seized control of an entire cell block during a riot 
in an Australia jail on Thursday, police and prison officials said.
"Some 40 or so inmates have isolated themselves in a part of the 
prison," police told Reuters.
A Correctional Service Department spokesman said no prison officers were 
involved and no hostages had been taken during the riot at the Port 
Augusta Prison in South Australia state.
"Our emergency response group is working with police," the spokesman said.
News website AdelaideNow (www.news.com.au/adelaidenow) said there were 
no reports of injuries.
But the website reported that tensions in the prison have escalated in 
recent months, with overcrowding at record levels.
Port Augusta Prison is a multi-purpose jail for up to 280 high-, medium- 
and low-security prisoners, including inmates needing protection and 
others with special needs.
The jail, 300 kms northwest of the state capital Adelaide, includes 
facilities for up to eight female inmates.
It attracted intense publicity in July 2004, when it was revealed 
inmates were using a hole in a fence to leave the jail to attend parties 
in nearby Port Augusta town before returning with contraband including 
pornography and cigarettes.







http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/10/2387901.htm

Inmates end Pt Augusta jail protest
Posted Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:00pm AEDT
Updated Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:17pm AEDT

Port Augusta: jail unrest has ended (ABC News)
• Map: Port Augusta 5700
• Related Story: Riot prisoners list concerns
• Related Story: Riot prisoners hit out at Govt
A 24-hour stand-off at Port Augusta jail in South Australia is over.
The Public Service Association (PSA) says staff of the prison, 300 
kilometres north of Adelaide, will not to return to their jobs until the 
inmates involved in unrest have been moved elsewhere.
The union represents about 120 staff, including prison officers.
PSA secretary Jan McMahon says members will also insist that damaged 
sections of the prison be repaired.
"They have determined that they will not open the Port Augusta prison 
until those prisoners who have been involved in the riot have been 
removed," she said.
"As we understand, the units that have been affected by the riot are 
completely damaged."
SA Correctional Services Minister Carmel Zollo says prisoners involved 
in the unrest will be moved to Adelaide.
"I think it's important that those prisoners are dealt with in a 
different institution and clearly the police now have a role - it's 
their discretion," she said.
"There'll be an investigation as to what the future holds for those 
prisoners."
SA police confirmed that 37 inmates were involved in the trouble, which 
started on Thursday afternoon when prisoners were denied their 
fortnightly outdoor recreation time because of a staffing shortage.
The inmates severely damaged equipment in cell blocks and smashed windows.
Six inmates withdrew from the protest at lunchtime on Friday and police 
announced an end to the uprising late in the afternoon.
Point made
Police Superintendent James Blandford says inmates ended their protest 
because they had made their point.
"All prisoners have been accounted for and control has been 
re-established," he said.
"There have been no injuries, no overt acts of violence.
"The incident ... over the last 24 hours was resolved through a lot of 
intense negotiation and, in no small part too, a lot of goodwill and 
co-operation shown by the prisoners."
He says the damage to the jail is being assessed.
"There has been some damage - we're in the current process of 
investigating and determining how much damage has been done so I can't 
actually give you a cost estimate," he said.
A former chaplain at Port Augusta prison, David Wright, says inmates in 
the high-security Bluebush cell block rarely get a chance for outdoor 
activities.
He says cancelling an outdoor session would have been the catalyst for 
the stand-off.
"They get one outside activity a fortnight, and it goes for just one 
afternoon, 1:30 'til about three," he said.
"And to have that called off short, that would be the straw that broke 
the camel's back without a doubt."
The Minister says the Government makes no apologies for its policy of 
having two prisoners to a cell at Port Augusta.
But Ms Zollo says that was not responsible for the uprising.
"The situation occurred because the prisoners were denied the 
opportunity to go onto the oval," she said.
"We elected to put the safety of our correctional services officers 
before the prisoners. They were needed ... in the infirmary."
Prison not full, says Foley
Acting Premier Kevin Foley is adamant that Port Augusta prison is not at 
capacity.
"Prisons are not designed for absolute comfort and the doubling up of 
prisoners - that is two per cell - is both a common practice and an 
appropriate practice," he said.
But the PSA has a different view.
Ms McMahon says problems in the SA prison system are not confined to 
Port Augusta.
"There were three overflow prisoners. That means the prison at Port 
Augusta, according to our members, was full yesterday," she said.
"As we speak, at Mobilong Prison (another SA jail, near Murray Bridge) 
there are currently 15 mattresses on the floor because the prison at 
Mobilong is full.
"So there is severe overcrowding in South Australian prisons."






http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2008/10/11/2003425619

Prisoners surrender after daylong riot in Australia

AP, ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
Saturday, Oct 11, 2008, Page 4
Prisoners rioting at an Australian prison surrendered yesterday, 24 
hours after chasing away guards and climbing to the rooftop to denounce 
overcrowding and ill treatment at the jail, police said.

Police brokered an agreement with the 39 prisoners in the high-security 
compound of the Port Augusta Prison, about 320km north of Adelaide, the 
capital of South Australia.

They made no demands during the standoff but wanted “some recognition 
that they think there is a problem,” South Australia Police Assistant 
Commissioner Graeme Barton told reporters.

The riot began on Thursday afternoon after an outdoor recreation session 
was canceled. Inmates used makeshift weapons to break windows, air 
conditioners and computers before taking to the roof and hoisting 
mattresses on which they had written slogans against overcrowding and 
poor treatment at the prison.

All of the prison staff evacuated the building and there were no injuries.

South Australia Acting Premier Kevin Foley described the rioters as 
among the “hardest toughened criminals we have.”

He rejected claims by the state opposition and the prison officers’ 
union that the riot was in response to overcrowding.

“This has nothing to do with overcrowding. We are dealing with people 
who are not easy people to deal with, people who are in prison for a 
very, very long time for committing some of the worst crimes against 
civil society,” he said.

The Department for Correctional Services Web site says the Port Augusta 
Prison can accommodate 280 inmates; there are 363 inmates in the prison now.

Foley said the operational capacity of the jail was 368 prisoners.

Last May, Foley advocated a policy of “Rack ’em, pack ’em and stack ’em 
if that keeps our streets safe.”

But prison officers’ union official Peter Christopher said doubling up 
prisoners in cells was “a volatile mix.”






http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Riot-At-Port-Augusta-Prison-Inmates-Angry-At-Overcrowding-And-Poor-Conditions/Article/200810215117616?f=rss

Riot At High-Security Oz Prison
11:00am UK, Friday October 10, 2008
Dozens of criminals who rioted for two days at a high-security prison in 
Australia have been persuaded to surrender.

Inmates are angry about overcrowding
About 40 inmates smashed windows, air conditioners and computers and 
chased away guards in protest against overcrowding and ill treatment in 
Port Augusta Prison.
A dozen balaclava-clad prisoners took to the roof brandishing mattresses 
and wielding makeshift weapons while a police tactical response unit 
waited on the ground below.
Negotiators brokered an agreement with the prisoners, who made no 
demands during the stand-off but wanted "some recognition that they 
think there is a problem".
The riot began after an outdoor recreation session was cancelled.
Prison officials had to send extra staff to the infirmary at short 
notice, resulting in too few officers to staff the outdoor yard.
All prison staff evacuated the building and there were no injuries.
Port Augusta Prison has a 280-bed capacity, according to the Department 
for Correctional Services.
But a state opposition official said there were 363 inmates now housed 
at the prison.
The prison officers' union said it had warned the state government that 
overcrowding was a serious problem.
"Pretty well every prison in the state is full," said spokesman Peter 
Christopher.
"Most cells, with few exceptions, have been doubled up. It's a volatile 
mix."






http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2407689,00.html

Prisoners surrender after riot
2008-10-10 10:45
• Article Tools
• Share
• Get News24 on
Adelaide - Prisoners rioting at an Australian prison surrendered on 
Friday, 24 hours after chasing away guards and climbing to the rooftop 
to denounce overcrowding and ill treatment at the jail, police said.
Police brokered an agreement with the 39 prisoners in the high-security 
compound of the Port Augusta Prison, about 320km north of Adelaide, the 
capital of South Australia.
They made no demands during the standoff but wanted "some recognition 
that they think there is a problem", South Australia Police Assistant 
Commissioner Graeme Barton told reporters.
The riot began on Thursday afternoon after an outdoor recreation session 
was cancelled. Inmates used makeshift weapons to break windows, air 
conditioners and computers before taking to the roof and hoisting 
mattresses on which they had written slogans against overcrowding and 
poor treatment at the prison.
All of the prison staff evacuated the building and there were no injuries.
South Australia Acting Premier Kevin Foley described the rioters as 
among the "hardest, toughened criminals we have".
He rejected claims by the state opposition and the prison officers' 
union that the riot was in response to overcrowding.
"This has nothing to do with overcrowding," he said. "We are dealing 
with people who are not easy people to deal with, people who are in 
prison for a very, very long time for committing some of the worst 
crimes against civil society."
The Department for Correctional Services website says the Port Augusta 
Prison can accommodate 280 inmates; there are 363 inmates in the prison 
now.
Foley said the operational capacity of the jail was 368 prisoners.
Last May, Foley advocated a policy of "Rack 'em, pack 'em and stack 'em 
if that keeps our streets safe."
But prison officers' union official Peter Christopher said doubling up 
prisoners in cells was "a volatile mix".
- SAPA






http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=645086&rss=yes

Criminals surrender after SA jail riot
18:13 AEST Fri Oct 10 2008
280 days 14 hours 36 minutes ago
By Steve Larkin

Thirty of South Australia's most hardened criminals have surrendered to 
police after rioting inside a regional jail.
The prisoners were barricaded in a high-security compound of the Port 
Augusta jail, surrounded by tactical response police who brokered a 
resolution during the second day of negotiations with the inmates.
The jail is about 300km north of Adelaide.
A group of 39 prisoners rioted late Thursday, forcing staff to withdraw 
as the inmates, brandishing weapons such as chair legs, smashed windows, 
computers and air-conditioners.
Some balaclava-clad prisoners climbed on the compound's roof, displaying 
messages daubed on mattresses complaining of overcrowding and ill 
treatment at the jail.
SA Acting Premier Kevin Foley described the rioters as among the 
"hardest, toughened criminals we have".
The group surrendered to police about 4.20pm (CST) Friday, about 24 
hours after they rioted after being refused access to an outdoor 
exercise yard.
They made no demands during the stand-off but wanted "some recognition 
that they think there is a problem", SA Police Assistant Commissioner 
Graeme Barton said.
The SA opposition and the prison officers' union said the riot was a 
response to chronic overcrowding of the state's jails.
Opposition correctional services spokesman Stephen Wade said the riot 
was entirely predictable because the state's prison system was 22 per 
cent overcrowded - the most overcrowded prison system in the nation.
Public Service Association chief industrial officer Peter Christopher 
said the overcrowding had produced a volatile mix.
But Mr Foley said it was "plain wrong" to suggest overcrowding caused 
the riot at a jail which, according to the Department of Correctional 
Services website, can accommodate 280 high, medium and low security inmates.
The government said the operational capacity of the jail was 368 
prisoners - with 363 inmates currently detained in the facility.
Mr Foley said there were 50 available places in the state's prison system.
"This has nothing to do with overcrowding," he said.
"We are dealing with some of the hardest, toughened criminals that we 
have in our state.
"We are dealing with people who are not easy people to deal with, people 
who are in prison for a very, very long time for committing some of the 
worst crimes against civil society."






http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/guards-lose-control-of-prison-riot/2008/10/10/1223145575747.html

Guards lose control of prison riot
October 10, 2008 - 8:04AM
Emergency services remain on standby at the prison in South Australia's 
north where inmates have rioted.
A police tactical response unit is trying to negotiate an end to the 
stand-off at the Port Augusta Prison, about 320km north of Adelaide.
It is understood about 34 inmates from the jail's high security Bluebush 
division rioted yesterday afternoon in a protest over conditions.
Some have been seen on the prison roof with banners and banging what 
appear to be makeshift weapons.
South Australian Correctional Services spokesman Chris Thompson said 
this morning no injuries had been reported and authorities were hoping 
to achieve a swift resolution to the stand-off.
"We have had no reports of anyone being injured, I think things have 
gone relatively smoothly overnight," he said.
Mr Thompson said he was unable to confirm what the prisoners were 
rioting over.
However, he said concern had been expressed about recent lock-downs at 
the facility.
Emergency services on stand-by at the prison also include fire and 
ambulance services.
AAP







http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24474439-2702,00.html

Police riot squad on standby at South Australian prison
• Font Size: Decrease Increase
• Print Page: Print
October 10, 2008
Article from: The Australian
TACTICAL response police are on standby at the Port Augusta prison in 
South Australia's north where inmates have rioted.
Authorities believe a cancelled recreation session yesterday afternoon 
may have sparked the riot.

Correctional Services chief executive Peter Severin said an oval 
exercise session for inmates was cancelled yesterday when jail officials 
had to send extra staff to the infirmary at short notice.

Soon after, between 30 and 40 inmates from the jail's high security 
Bluebush division overpowered wardens and took control of the block.
A police tactical response unit is negotiating an end to the stand-off 
at the prison, about 320km north of Adelaide.

Some have been seen on the prison roof with banners and banging what 
appear to be makeshift weapons.

South Australian Correctional Services spokesman Chris Thompson said 
this morning no injuries had been reported and authorities were hoping 
to achieve a swift resolution to the stand-off.

"We have had no reports of anyone being injured, I think things have 
gone relatively smoothly overnight," he said.

Mr Thompson said he was unable to confirm what the prisoners were 
rioting over.

However, he said concern had been expressed about recent lock-downs at 
the facility.

Emergency services on stand-by at the prison also include fire and 
ambulance services.

AAP






http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/10/2387142.htm

Riot prisoners hit out at Govt
Posted Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:27am AEDT
Updated Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:24am AEDT

Port Augusta prison ... riot continues. (ABC News)
• Map: Port Augusta 5700
• Related Story: Prisoners camp on roof as stand-off continues
Prisoners involved in a stand-off at the Port Augusta jail in South 
Australia's north have hit out at the Government as part of a visual 
protest at the jail.
There are reports inmates have been holding a banner on the roof of the 
jail that reads 'Not Happy Rann' in reference to the Premier, Mike Rann.
Another banner held earlier accused the Minister responsible for prisons 
of lying.
Glass windows on a section of the roof have been smashed, and the 
Corrections Department says the interior of the cell block has also been 
damaged.
The inmates from the high security Bluebush wing started their protest 
yesterday afternoon and are believed to be upset about overcrowding.
Yesterday up to 10 prisoners climbed onto the roof of the jail.
Two prisoners have since given themselves up.
The Corrections Department says the prisoners have damaged property, and 
yelling, clapping, and banging can be heard coming from inside the jail.
Police are set up outside the prison and the National Highway One 
running past the prison has been partly blocked off to traffic.
The State Opposition's correctional services spokesman, Stephen Wade, 
says the jail system is overcrowded, and the damage caused by the riot 
will lead to more problems.
"Those prisoners will need to be relocated while their facility is 
repaired, that is going to put incredible stress on a prison system 
that's already overcrowded," he said.
"After all it's not just Port Augusta that's overcrowded, every prison 
in our system has been racked, stacked and packed by this Government."
Warnings
The Public Service Association (PSA) says it has been warning the 
Government for sometime that trouble was likely at the prison because of 
constant overcrowding and doubling-up in cells.
The PSA represents about 120 workers at the prison, including the 
correctional service officers who manage about 300 prisoners.
The Association's Peter Christopher says the trouble started yesterday 
when prisoners in the high security Bluebush unit were not allowed to go 
outside for exercise because there was not enough staff to supervise them.
"When prisoners in that unit weren't able to go outside and do their 
exercise, the reports we've received indicate that this was a trigger 
for this particular incident," he said.
The head of the Correctional Services Department, Peter Severin, says 
increases in prisoner numbers means management practices have had to 
change, and often prisoners' routines are disturbed.
He says that is what happened yesterday when an outdoor session was 
cancelled because of a shortage of staff.
"That happens, that is operational reality," he said.
"That in itself has absolutely nothing to do with overcrowding, but of 
course in a situation like this it may well have been a contributing 
factor to get prisoners to react like they did."
'Full investigation'
The Correctional Services Minister, Carmel Zollo, says a full 
investigation will be carried out as a matter of priority.
"What I can say is that incidents like this are regrettable and are a 
concern, and clearly I want to know what has happened and what has 
triggered this incident," she said.
"It has been reported that this incident was a result of prison 
overcrowding, this is of course pure speculation, it is an isolated 
incident and I expect a comprehensive investigation into the underlying 
reasons and causes."
Ms Zollo says prison management has the right to shut down certain areas 
at any time.
She says a number of staff called in sick, and a decision had to be made 
whether to allow the prisoners to exercise.
"They got to always make a decision in the best interest of the running 
of that prison, for safety reasons, they'll always reserve the right to 
actually make some areas no-go areas," she said.






http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=644550&rss=yes

SA jail rioters blame 'overcrowding'
13:47 AEST Fri Oct 10 2008

A hardcore group of prisoners remains at large within a South Australian 
jail, the prison officers' union says.
About 40 prisoners have rioted and damaged a high security division at 
the Port Augusta jail in SA's north, breaking windows, air-conditioners 
and computers, the Public Service Association (PSA) says.
The union said a majority of the prisoners who rioted had since returned 
to cells in the jail, which had been locked down.
"There are a dozen or so still on the loose," the association's chief 
industrial officer Peter Christopher said.
Some of those at large remain on the roof, brandishing signs made on 
mattresses that highlight overcrowding as the reason for the disturbance.
All the approximately 120 prison officers who work at the jail had been 
removed and replaced by Star Group police, Mr Christopher said.
"There are a lot of angry prisoners there," he said, adding that inmates 
had not been fed since the lockdown was enacted at the height of the riot.
The riot started on Thursday when three inmates were transferred to the 
jail's infirmary, not because they were ill but due to a lack of other 
available beds, Mr Christopher said.
Some prison staff were then deployed to the infirmary, resulting in a 
scheduled outdoor exercise period being cancelled, he said.
"That was the central trigger (for the riot)," Mr Christopher said.
The Bluebush high-security division where the riot started had been 
extensively damaged, he said.
Mr Christopher said the association had long been warning the government 
about overcrowding issues at Port Augusta and other jails in the state.
"Pretty well, every prison in the state is full," he said.
"Most cells, with few exceptions, have been doubled-up.
"It's a volatile mix."
Correctional Services chief executive Peter Severin said the oval 
session for inmates at the Port Augusta Prison was cancelled on Thursday 
when jail officials had to send extra staff to the infirmary at short 
notice.
No injuries were reported among inmates or staff.
Emergency services remain on stand-by while a police tactical response 
unit continues to negotiate with the inmates in a bid to end the dispute 
peacefully.
"I understand from the briefings that I am receiving that those 
communications are quite constructive," Mr Severin told ABC Radio.
He said that while the cancelled recreation session had nothing to do 
with the wider issue of overcrowding in the jail, it might have been a 
contributing factor prompting the prisoners to react as they had.
"This incident is subject to a full investigation and I've no doubt our 
findings will give a whole range of issues that we will learn from," Mr 
Severin said.
"We are dealing with this as a very serious incident, we're trying to do 
it as constructively as we can.
"Whatever issues that we identify that have ultimately resulted in this 
incident we will carefully assess and if there is action that we need to 
take as a result, we will."
But the South Australian opposition said the riot came as no surprise 
and blamed what it called the state government's "rack'em, pack'em, 
stack'em" prison policy.
"No one has sympathy for the hardened criminals, but this system has 
racked, packed and stacked the really bad with those who have a chance 
to turn their lives around," said opposition corrections spokesman 
Stephen Wade.
"This system creates more hardened criminals and the loser is their next 
victim."
Mr Severin said that because of pressures across the prison system the 
number of inmates at Port Augusta had been increased by about 90 over 
the past 12 months.
He said that had involved many cells being used to house two prisoners 
rather than just one.
Correctional Services Minister Carmel Zollo said the incident at the 
jail was regrettable and she wanted to know what triggered it.
"It has been reported that this incident was the result of prison 
overcrowding. This is, of course, pure speculation," she said.
"It is an isolated incident and I expect a comprehensive investigation 
into the underlying reasons and causes."







http://arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=115423&d=14&m=10&y=2008&pix=world.jpg&category=World

14 October 2008 (13 Shawwal 1429)

Illegal immigrants protest conditions
AFP

INHUMAN: Illegal immigrants protest their detention conditions from 
inside a shelter in Istanbul on Monday. (Reuters)

ISTANBUL: Several dozen illegal immigrants yesterday protested against 
their detention conditions in a state-run center in Istanbul, breaking 
windows and throwing burning blankets out onto the street.
“We are here for one year and two months. They give us food only once a 
day and don’t give us any medicine ... They treat us like animals,” one 
of the immigrants, who said he was a Tamil from Sri Lanka, told an AFP 
correspondent from a window. Several other immigrants from Africa, 
Southeast Asia and the Middle East also criticized insufficient food 
supplies and medical treatment.
The center in Kumkapi, on Istanbul’s European side, hosts between 600 
and 800 immigrants arrested in Turkey while trying to cross into Europe 
and awaiting deportation, police sources said.
There was no indication that police were preparing to intervene as the 
situation was returning to normal.
Turkey lies on a major people-smuggling route from Asia to Western 
Europe and illegal migrants are detained on an almost daily basis.
In June, a Somali man died of a gunshot wound and four people, among 
them two police officers, were injured during a riot at a center for 
illegal immigrants in the northwestern province of Kirklareli, near the 
border with Bulgaria.
Rebels jailed
A Turkish court meanwhile charged and jailed pending trial five people 
in connection with a Kurdish rebel attack on a police bus in the 
country’s southeast that claimed five lives.
Three suspected members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), 
which carried out last week’s assault, were charged with membership in 
an illegal organization and carrying out armed attacks on its behalf.
The two remaining suspects were charged with aiding and abetting the 
operations.







http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49D7NW20081014?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

Thousands stage sit-in protest in Venezuela prisons
Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:30pm EDT
CARACAS (Reuters) - Thousands of relatives of inmates staged sit-in 
protests on Tuesday in prisons across Venezuela to protest abuse and 
poor conditions in one of the nation's largest such protests in years.
Prison violence kills hundreds of inmates each year. It has fueled 
complaints that leftist President Hugo Chavez has done too little to 
stem crime and improve the judicial system that often allows people to 
languish in squalid cells for years without a trial.
Venezuelan Prison Observatory, a nonprofit group that monitors prisons, 
said a protest that began last week with a hunger strike at one prison 
has spread across the country to involve thousands of relatives, 
including dozens of children.
The Interior Ministry said 6,500 inmate relatives held sit-in protests 
at eight jails, local media reported.
The nonprofit group reported last year more than 500 inmates were killed 
last year in prison and eight such sit-in protests. This week's protest 
is unusually large.
Chavez, who has used Venezuela's oil wealth to finance social programs 
for the poor, has vowed to improve conditions for the country's 
estimated 21,000 prisoners. He was imprisoned for two years for leading 
a failed coup in 1992.
Venezuelans' top concern is crime with many Chavez critics and 
supporters blaming his government for failing to rein in violence that 
kills thousands each year, according to opinion polls.
(Reporting by Enrique Andres Pretel; Writing by Brian Ellsworth; Editing 
by Saul Hudson and Bill Trott)








http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081021/NEWS04/810210374/1002/NEWS01

Riot 'ringleaders' await charges after Rutland jail fallout

By Brent Curtis Herald Staff - Published: October 21, 2008
The merits and potential consequences of a disciplinary system at the 
Rutland jail were debated Monday as state police and prison officials 
looked at charges ranging from reckless endangerment to hostage-taking 
for a handful of inmates identified as the ringleaders of Saturday 
night's contained riot at the correctional facility.

None of the 13 inmates who prison officials said were involved in the 
uprising that occurred entirely within a single cell block of the jail 
were charged with a crime on Monday.

But prison Superintendent David Bovat said Monday that Vermont State 
Police detectives spent the day interviewing the inmates involved and 
narrowing the scope of their investigation to what he called a handful 
of ringleaders.

What charges the inmates might face also remained unclear, but Bovat 
said police talked about charges of reckless endangerment and 
destruction of state property along with a charge related to taking a 
hostage as possible offenses.

No correctional personnel or law enforcement officials were injured or 
held hostage by the inmates during the three-hour standoff. But Bovat 
said those inmates who beat up another incarcerated man and then impeded 
police and rescue crews from getting to the injured man could face 
charges of taking the man hostage.

A lockdown at the jail, instituted at the start of the riot, remained in 
effect Monday, Bovat said. But the superintendent said he expected the 
measure to be relaxed starting this morning.

While police investigated inmates involved in the incident, cleanup 
crews started scrubbing the 15-cell D block, which was emptied after a 
prison riot team used tear gas and other irritants to flush inmates from 
the section.

Bovat said prisoners wouldn't be allowed to return to the section until 
the block had been cleaned of tear gas and "black water" from broken 
sprinklers and plumbing overflows. Repairs to the sprinkler system and, 
potentially, the electrical system also need to be made before the 
section can reopen in two to three weeks, Bovat said.

As police and prison officials in Rutland sorted through the aftermath 
of the riot, state Defender General Matthew Valerio, whose office 
includes the state's Prisoner's Rights Office, said Monday that his 
office had been receiving complaints months in advance about a new 
behavioral policy in the Rutland jail which he said contributed to 
tensions leading up to the riot on Saturday.

The new policy, instituted by Bovat, who came to Rutland 19 months ago, 
rewards prisoners for doing things such as cleaning their cell block, 
maintaining personal hygiene, exercising and following the rules of the 
prison. But breaking the rules, disobeying commands, being disrespectful 
to officers and other inmates and other negative behavior costs inmates 
points.

It's a reward/punishment system for minor privileges that's presently 
unique to the Rutland jail in Vermont.

But Valerio said he knows of instances in other states where similar 
policies have led to rioting like what took place in Rutland.

"The thing that keeps calm in a prison is predictability for the 
inmates," Valerio said. "If a guy knows the rules, he can follow them. 
But they don't do well with change and rules that can be arbitrarily 
applied."

Valerio said he used the word "arbitrarily" because unlike other 
disciplinary procedures that require a formal hearing in the jail, the 
rewarding of points or their subtraction is done at the discretion of 
the individual officers on duty.

After months of receiving complaints from inmates who felt cheated by 
the new system, Valerio said he believes the atmosphere inside the jail 
was unstable before the riot.

"These disciplinary procedures do tend to raise tensions," he said. 
"It's an escalation of little things."

The "little thing" that appears to have precipitated the incident on 
Saturday involved an inmate who refused to get out of bed during the day 
and was punished by being told to lock down early, according to 
Corrections Commissioner Robert Hofmann.

Hofmann said Monday that he had spoken to Valerio about his concerns, 
but given the circumstances that took place in Rutland, he said he had 
no complaints about his officers' conduct in Rutland.

"We need to endeavor to be consistent and fair and I think that our 
staff shows unparalleled patience in the majority of cases. But when 
someone says 'no I'm not getting out of bed' and 'screw you' and they 
just stay in bed all day and then they get locked in early because of 
their behavior, I don't think starting a riot is the way to go," Hofmann 
said.

The commissioner said he also didn't think it unreasonable to ask 
inmates to help with the maintenance and upkeep of the prison by keeping 
themselves and their living quarters clean.

"It costs the state $50,000 a year for each inmate, I think we should be 
asking them to engage in the maintenance and cleaning," he said. 
"Sweeping and keeping showers clean isn't a lot to ask. After all, it is 
their home while they're with us."

Bovat said he also implemented the reward/punishment system as a way of 
reforming the inmates' behavior before their release.

The superintendent said that when he arrived, discipline was lax and the 
inmates' behavior more self-perpetually criminal.

"They would hang with their buddies all day and act like bigger 
criminals," he said.

The new system has been successful for the most part, he said. However, 
he said there were some who have resisted the change.

"There's a criminal element that's in and out of the doors all the time 
who resent the fact that things have changed and it's not the good old 
times they remember," he said.







http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhidkfsneyau/rss2/

Governor attacked in protests at Portlaoise Prison
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15/10/2008 - 08:11:40
An investigation is underway into an incident at Portlaoise Prison in 
which inmates threw the contents of their chamber pots at the governor 
and prison officers.

The incident followed a search of a cell on one of the wings housing 
republican prisoners.

Reports this morning say prison officers were investigating allegations 
that an INLA member had created a home-made weapon out of a soup ladle.

A number of inmates subsequently protested that they were being unfairly 
targeted.

During these protests, two of the prisoners were brought to the 
segregation unit.

Governor Ned Whelan was later attacked while making his regular rounds 
of the jail and extra staff were called in to deal with the situation.

The five prisoners involved in the incident are believed to have been 
punished by being locked in their cells without access to phone calls or 
visits for a month.







http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1015/1224020737250.html

October 15, 2008
Real IRA and INLA prisoners in joint protest
In this section »
• Murder inquiry launched into death of man in Cork
• Firms to benefit from rates rebate
• Kilkenny to grant Cody and Pattison freedom of city
• Overcrowding at AE leads to diverted emergencies
• Seven years for man who collected heroin worth €1.6m
• Suspended jail term for taxi passenger's false shouts of rape
CONOR LALLY, Crime Correspondent
PARAMILITARY PRISONERS from the Real IRA and INLA joined forces to 
challenge staff at Portlaoise Prison in recent days in a dispute over 
the searching of cells at the jail.
Prison sources said the protest resulted in full chamber pots being 
thrown at staff, forcing the closure of a food preparation area. The 
same sources said the disturbance ended yesterday afternoon only after 
two INLA inmates were released from segregation.
The disturbance began on Sunday morning when the cells of a number of 
INLA inmates were searched on the E4 landing of the maximum security 
jail. A makeshift knife was found in one of the searched cells.
The INLA inmates were unhappy that the searches had taken place claiming 
they had been singled out for special treatment.
On Monday morning, they staged a protest, throwing the contents of their 
chamber pots on to the landing of their wing of the prison.
The contents of the pots ran down on to the E3 landing below, which 
houses Real IRA prisoners. The contents of the pots then ran down on to 
an area below the E3 landing forcing the closure of an area where food 
is prepared.
When other prisoners were asked to clean the area, they were threatened 
by the INLA group not to clean up.
The INLA inmates then broke through meshing which divides their cells 
from the Real IRA landing below.
In an unprecedented move, the two groups of inmates joined forces and 
demanded that two INLA prisoners who had been placed in segregation be 
returned to their cells. The prisoners in segregation were released and 
the protest ended.
The Prison Officers Association declined to comment. However, prison 
officer sources said they were disappointed the prisoners' demands were 
acceded to.
A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said the protest was "minor" 
and "non violent". It had been dealt with quickly and in a 
non-confrontational manner.
He said the two inmates had been placed in segregation to ease tensions 
and not as punishment. There was no question prison management had 
"bowed" to the demands of inmates in releasing the pair from segregation.
There are eight INLA and 30 Real IRA prisoners held at the jail. The 
protest since the weekend is believed the first time that members of the 
two groups, usually rivals, had held a joint protest.







http://www.iwcp.co.uk/News/Parkhurst_prisoner_stages_rooftop_protest.aspx

Parkhurst prisoner stages rooftop protest
By Jon Moreno - Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The prisoner, arrowed, on the roof at Parkhurst Prison. Contributed picture.
A PARKHURST Prison inmate staged a rooftop protest at the jail on Sunday.
He climbed on to the roof of the Newport jail’s main block at 11.45am 
and was finally persuaded to end his demonstration peacefully by prison 
staff at 1.15am yesterday (Monday).
The Ministry of Justice would not comment on the prisoner nor say what 
prompted his protest.
"The incident was resolved without injuries to prisoners or staff. The 
cost of any damage caused is still being assessed,” a spokesman said.






http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/10/28/ddn102808policeblotter.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=16

Accident victim stages protest of sorts with police
Staff Reports
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A roundup of unusual
items from area police departments:
CLAYTON — Oct. 19: Officers responding to an accident in a field across 
from 8358 Hoke Road observed a female in the driver's seat of a vehicle 
stuck in mud.
The subject got out and started crying. An officer saw the vehicle was 
in reverse gear, its tires spinning. The subject smelled of alcohol and 
tripped and fell while being escorted to a cruiser.
She agreed to a field sobriety test but said she desperately needed to 
urinate. She then tried to walk to the side of the road and pull down 
her pants.
The subject was placed in the cruiser and taken to a police department 
interview room and asked if she needed the bathroom. She became agitated 
and said she would relieve herself in the interview room.
She then urinated in her pants and on the chair where she sat, then 
urinated again before being escorted to the bathroom. She refused 
sobriety tests, and was arrested for operating a vehicle intoxicated.







http://www.postchronicle.com/news/breakingnews/article_212175936.shtml

Published: Oct 1, 2008 Share It | Most Popular | Send A Tip

Five Hurt In Riot At Calif. Folsom Prison
by Staff

Corrections officials say a riot at California's famed Folsom Prison 
left at least five inmates injured.
The melee broke out Tuesday afternoon in the yard of the aging 
overcrowded facility and eventually involved hundreds of inmates, the 
Department of Corrections said.

KCRA-TV in nearby Sacramento said its news helicopter captured images of 
hundreds of prisoners seated on the ground with some being placed in 
wrist restraints.
Three of the injured inmates were taken to area hospitals while two 
others were treated for minor injuries, KCRA said.
The 40-acre prison was built in 1880 and currently houses more than 
4,000 convicts, roughly twice the number the facility was designed to hold.






http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7677380.stm

Saturday, 18 October 2008 08:51 UK
Final protest against prison site

A demonstration in August attracted around 300 people to the site
Residents in Cwmbran have held a final demonstration in protest over 
plans that could see a prison open near their homes.
The town's old police training centre is one of four possible sites 
being considered to house a new Welsh jail.
A similar protest in August attracted around 300 people from the 
Greenmeadow area of the town.
The 39-acre site was bought by the Ministry of Justice in 2007, 
prompting fears that it is the front runner.
It has been rated as a "very good" site by officials and could hold up 
to 1,500 inmates if given the go-ahead.
The three other potential places for the new prison are Merthyr, Wrexham 
and Caernarfon.
Public consultation on the possible choices for the prison site closes 
at the end of October, prompting this final demonstration in Cwmbran.
Opposition
One of the organisers, local councillor Catherine Lewis said: "I'd like 
to think that our voice is going to be heard.
"At least we can say we have tried our very best to stop it."
Ms Lewis said she and others supporting the action were not opposed to a 
prison being sited in the Cwmbran area.
"It's only that site we are against. It's a stones throw from a highly 
populated area, it is so inappropriate."
The initial report on the shortlisted locations see the advantages of 
Cwmbran being close to the M4 corridor, courts and rail links.
Although the Cwmbran site was only officially shortlisted in August, its 
opponents have been putting together a petition to oppose the plans 
since October 2007 after finding out that the site had been sold to the 
Ministry of Justice.
Torfaen council has previously stated it would oppose the plans as it 
would jeopardise its own multi-million pound programme to regenerate the 
nearby town centre.






http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=57467

Published On: 2008-10-06
Metropolitan
15 injured as villagers clash with cops in Jamalpur
Unb, Jamalpur

At least 15 people, including 10 policemen, were injured during a clash 
between police and villagers at Jhaudanga in Dewanganj upazila early 
yesterday.

Acting on a tip-off, police arrested three criminals - Osman Gani, 
Rafiqul Islam and Abul Kashem - from the house of Pararamrampur UP 
Chairman Insar Ali at about 3:00am.

Police said, sentenced to life term for murder Osman remained fugitive, 
Rafiqul was awarded three years jail in drug case and Abul Kashem is 
accused in a criminal case.

Following their arrest inmates of the house raised hue and cries saying 
dacoits, dacoits. Villagers rushed in and attacked the police. They 
snatched away the criminals from the police custody that led to the clash.

Police fired three warning shots to disperse the villagers, police said.

Ten policemen, including SI Asaduzzaman Ripon and ASI Shuvra Shaha, 
injured in the clash were admitted to Dewanganj Upazila Health Complex.






http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/americas/2008/09/17/175024/Two-dead.htm

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 10:06 am TWN, AFP
Two dead, 20 injured in massive prison riot
MEXICO CITY -- Two prisoners died and 20 others were injured in a prison 
riot sparked by the death of a prisoner — allegedly at the hands of 
prison guards — in the northern Mexican border city of Tijuana, security 
officials said Monday.
Security forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas on some 1,500 
prisoners armed with stones and pipes in the 12-hour riot in La Mesa 
prison on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Soldiers and police regained control of the prison early Monday after 
prisoners stormed two prison buildings, partially setting them on fire 
and taking two guards hostage.






http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080904/FOREIGN/586654295/1002/rss

Prison riot undermines Syrian gain
Phil Sands, Foreign Correspondent
• Last Updated: September 04. 2008 10:53PM UAE / September 4. 2008 
6:53PM GMT

 From right, the French president Nicolas Sarkozy, the Syrian president 
Bashar Assad, the Emir of Qatar Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the 
Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Damascus yesterday. 
Philippe Wojazer / AP
DAMASCUS // Bashar Assad, the Syria president, was in Paris for a 
headline-grabbing summit when he last met Nicolas Sarkozy, his French 
counterpart.

That was in July and amounted to a diplomatic coup for Damascus. All the 
American attempts to isolate and weaken Syria had failed, and Europe was 
finally re-engaging. Syria had, for the time being at least, triumphed.

While the president was away dealing with matters of international 
importance, a few kilometres north of Damascus a deadly prison riot was 
entering its second week.

Months later, with Mr Sarkozy in Syria on a reciprocal visit, little is 
publicly known about what happened in Saydnaya prison. But a few details 
that can be pieced together give an insight into the various internal 
tensions pulling at Syria.

According to human rights groups, at least 25 inmates were shot and 
killed by government troops after staging a rebellion in which they took 
control of the detention centre.

In the only official comment on the matter, the Syrian Arab News Agency 
(Sana) noted that, “a number of prisoners convicted of extremism and 
terrorism crimes raised chaos, disturbing the public order during the 
prison administration’s inspection tour”.

When the riot started, on July 5, inmates were able to use mobile phones 
– routinely smuggled into the jail – and revealed some of what was 
happening. One political detainee reported that Muslim inmates had 
started a rebellion and taken 400 prison guards hostage, who they were 
using as bargaining chips in negotiations with the Syrian authorities.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, close to the 
banned Muslim Brotherhood opposition, said there had been shooting at 
the prison and helicopters flying over the area as Syrian forces moved 
in to retake it.

Those early attempts to restore authority apparently failed, because a 
fortnight after the riots began it was still under way, according to 
Ammar Qurabi, head of the National Organisation for Human Rights, an 
independent Syrian advocacy group. Interviewed at the time in the Syrian 
capital, he said the inmates were protesting against being held without 
trial.

“We don’t have any real information as to what’s happening,” he said. 
“There is a sit in, there are guards being held hostage. The mobile 
phone coverage has now been cut off.

“It’s not the first problem in Saydnaya. The prisoners started fires, 
they burned part of the prison a while back. That shows the reasons 
behind this are the lack of services. There are many prisoners who have 
been in there for a year or two years without any trial – they have no 
rights.”

Saydnaya is one of Syria’s largest internment facilities. It was built 
in 1987 to replace the squalor of various crumbling old prisons. It was 
designed to hold up to 5,000 people, mainly those convicted of crimes 
while serving in the military. However, it sometimes holds more, human 
rights groups said, and while a majority of inmates are thought to be 
soldiers, there are also political prisoners, detained as part of a 
campaign against dissidents.

Some of those dissidents are advocates of peaceful reform, but not all. 
The Syrian authorities said militants, including al Qa’eda fighters, are 
being held there. While opposition figures do not believe all prisoners 
convicted of terrorism in Syria are really guilty – the justice system 
is widely criticised – independent sources here said Saydnaya did house 
some militants who returned to Syria after fighting the Americans in Iraq.

“There are political prisoners, but there are also hundreds – perhaps 
200 or 300 – Salafists [Sunni extremists] and al Qa’eda fighters,” Mr 
Qurabi said.

He said six prison guards and 15 inmates were killed in the riot, with 
many more injured receiving treatment at a military hospital. No numbers 
have been released and the names of those who died or were wounded have 
not been revealed.

Abdul Aziz al Kheir, a former political prisoner, spent more than a 
decade in Syrian jails, including time in Saydnaya. He said there was 
discontent about the lack of trials, caused in part because of a big 
backlog of cases in national courts. But he said he did not believe the 
conditions inside the prison provoked the riot. “In the past, Syrian 
prisons were very bad, and prisoners would get beaten,” he said.

“But that stopped years ago. Now, once you’re in prison, it’s not as 
difficult. The punishment is the loss of liberty. The cells are really 
rooms, and you can choose which one you live in. There are books – the 
political prisoners have collected perhaps the best library in all of 
Syria there.”

Inside the prison, inmates are left largely to decide how to run their 
daily affairs – some even have computers and internet access to carry on 
businesses, while others bribe their way into having conjugal visits 
with their spouses. They can move around freely inside the prison. It 
was these freedoms that Mr Kheir said had probably allowed the rioters 
to plan and carry out their revolt.

Someone who was in direct contact with prison guards provided The 
National with a detailed account of the riot, on condition of anonymity. 
According to this information – which is unconfirmed – the prison 
authorities were tipped off that a riot was planned by a group of 
militants. Hundreds of police were brought in to carry out a surprise 
inspection and foil the plot, but they were new recruits and, when the 
search began, the militants – some hardened in combat against the US 
military – simply brought their plan into effect.

Using sharpened metal bed posts as improvised weapons, they killed some 
of the young police officers, who were armed with wooden sticks, not 
firearms, and captured 400. As the riot spread to the roof, sentries 
opened fire, killing some of the prisoners. But they were unable to hold 
them back and had to flee. At least one guard, according to this 
account, died after falling from the roof while trying to escape.

Before the prison was overrun, the guards managed to snatch Samir al 
Bahar, a wheelchair-bound senior Islamist imprisoned on terrorist 
charges. They would later use him as a mediator to try to negotiate a 
settlement, apparently without success.

Three weeks after the riot began, there was still a stand-off between 
the authorities and the inmates, according to the source.

The Syrian security services had managed to retake the first floor, but 
the third floor remained under the control of the inmates, with between 
600 and 1,200 inside.

“They have been trying to negotiate, but I don’t know what they are 
thinking,” the source said in July.

“The Syrians want to get the hostages out safely if they can, but what 
are the inmates thinking? You can’t kill prison guards and then expect 
to talk your way out of that kind of situation. I don’t know what they 
want; there was a suggestion they asked to be taken to Iraq and left 
there, to fight the Americans.”








http://allafrica.com/stories/200809110738.html

Namibia: Inmate's Death Leads to Cell Riot
Denver Isaacs
11 September 2008

Prisoners at the Wanaheda Police Station reportedly started a riot early 
Monday morning after a fellow inmate died in his cell.
They claim that the death of Clive Hibsch (28) was the result of 
negligence on the part of Police officers in charge of watching over them.
Chief Inspector Andreas Nelumbu has rejected the prisoners' claims.
In an interview with The Namibian, he said that Hibsch had been sent for 
medical treatment both on Monday and the day before.
"He complained of being sick on Sunday, and was taken to the Katutura 
State Hospital.
He was sent back, but we sent him back to the hospital on Monday and he 
was again sent back," Nelumbu said.
Hibsch died between 03h00 and 04h00, he said.
It is understood that prisoners initially refused to allow Police to 
remove the body from the cell.
Nelumbu said he needed to explain the reality of the situation to the 
prisoners, some of whom were not aware that Hibsch had actually gone for 
medical treatment.
"I managed to calm them down by explaining what happened. It seems some 
of them thought he hadn't been taken for treatment, but he was. I mean, 
if the doctors sent him back, we don't have the medical expertise to go 
against that," he said.
Nelumbu showed The Namibian Hibsch's medical reports but would not say 
what illness he was being treated for, as this was confidential.
Hibsch had been awaiting trial on two charges - one of assault with 
intent to do grievous bodily harm registered at the Katutura Police 
station in March, and the second a robbery charge registered at the 
Wanaheda station in May.
(The Namibian)






http://www.afrol.com/articles/30715

25 injured in prison riots in Egypt
afrol News, 9 September - At least 25 people were injured in clashes 
between warders and prisoners in south Egyptian city of Assiut on Monday 
following rumours about an inmate's death in prison, officials have said.
Most of the wounded, including 21 prisoners and four warders, suffered 
light and medium injuries in riot in southern Egyptian city of Assiut, 
some 330 kilometers south of Cairo, the Interior Ministry said in a 
statement.

The death of the prisoner, named by the Interior Ministry as Ali Mohamed 
Mohamed Abdel Salam, is said to have led to uproar among other 
prisoners, who took three officers hostage and seized their weapons, 
police sources said.

When a clash erupted on Monday among a number of inmates, the prison 
guards intervened to control the situation and isolated the rioters in 
solitary confinement cells, but the rioting continued until police used 
tear gas and live bullets to regain control of the jail.

An Interior Ministry statement quoted by Reuters said riot occurred when 
fighting broke out between four prisoners who attacked each other with 
cutlery.

According to a government statement one of the inmates died in the 
process, which triggered rumors among the prisoners that the inmate was 
tortured to death. "The prisoners gathered in the yard of the jail and 
tossed stones at the jail's facilities," said the statement, adding that 
some of them tried to escape.

Riots continued inside the prison building for several hours. Police 
used tear gas and live ammunition to subdue prisoners and were able to 
restore control, sources added. The injured included 21 prisoners and 
four warders.

Assiut is the largest city in Upper Egypt, with a population of about 
400,000 people. Its jail is reported to hold about 3,000 prisoners. 
Correspondents say conditions in Egyptian prisons are often dire and 
overcrowded, and security personnel have been accused of abusing inmates.
By staff writer





http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6495918.html

Prison riot injures 25 in S Egypt after inmate's death

+
-
09:57, September 09, 2008

At least 25 people were injured in a prison riot sparked by the death of 
an inmate in southern Egypt on Monday, the Egyptian MENA news agency 
reported.

Most of the wounded, including 21 prisoners and four warders, suffered 
light and medium injuries in the riot in the southern Egyptian city of 
Assiut, some 330 km south of Cairo, the Interior Ministry said in a 
statement.

When a clash erupted on Monday among a number of inmates, the prison 
guards intervened to control the situation and isolated the rioters in 
solitary confinement cells.

But "one of the inmates died in the process," which triggered rumors 
among the prisoners that the inmate was tortured to death, said the 
statement.

The prisoners gathered in the yard of the jail and tossed stones at the 
jail's facilities, said the statement, adding that some of them tried to 
escape.

Police forces fired tear gas bombs and opened fire in the air to calm 
down the situation. An investigation to the riot is underway.

Source:Xinhua






http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200808/s2336842.htm?tab=pacific

PNG inmates end hunger strike
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Updated August 15, 2008 15:57:10
Inmates being held in a jail in Papua New Guinea, have ended a two-day 
hunger strike in protest over long delays in their court cases.

The 180 inmates at Buimo jail near Lae, have refused food to draw 
attention to delays in the National Court system.

Some prisoners claim they have been held since 2002 with little or no 
progress in their legal cases.

Acting jail commander, Superintendent Simon Lakeng, says the relevant 
authorities have been informed of the hunger strike, so inmates have 
agreed to end it.

"We went into to talk to them this morning and they eventually agreed 
they've already skipped breakfast and eventually agreed to now get back 
to having their meals for lunch and dinner and so forth. "







http://archive.gulfnews.com/world/Turkey/10248520.html

Inmates riot in Turkish prison
Agencies
Published: September 29, 2008, 09:28
Istanbul: Five prison guards at a jail in northwest Turkey have been 
taken hostage by inmates on Monday, state news agency said.

The inmates at Burhaniye prison in Balikesir province were protesting 
over prison conditions, state-run Anatolian news agency reported.

The protest began during the pre-dawn meal or Suhoor during the Muslim 
fasting month of Ramadan.

"There is a fire in one of the dormitories at the moment. Our colleagues 
are trying to bring it under control," Balikesir Governor Selahattin 
Hatipoglu was quoted as saying by Anatolian.

The inmates were protesting at conditions in three dormitories and 
seeking an amnesty. It was not clear how many of the prison's 258 
inmates were involved in the protest.

The governor said authorities were trying to establish a dialogue with 
the protesters.





http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=154687

Prison riot quashed without use of force

A Monday morning prison riot in the town of Burhaniye, found in 
Balıkesir province, ended peacefully after officials came to an 
agreement with prisoners. Balıkesir Governor Selahattin Hatipoğlu 
commented on the event, saying, "The riot at Burhaniye C-type prison was 
quashed without the use of force and no one was hurt."

Hatipoğlu noted that the riot began at 2:30 a.m. while prison officers 
were delivering pre-dawn meals to prisoners. Five prison officers were 
taken hostage by inmates. "I came to the prison as soon as I heard about 
the incident. Fortunately the riot ended peacefully and the prison 
officers were released. The prisoners are now resting in their cells."
Gendarmerie and police department detail, as well as representatives 
from the public prosecutor's office and the prison administration, took 
extraordinary measures to end the riot. The Burhaniye Municipality sent 
bulldozers to the area in case of emergency.
The governor, however, chose to discuss prisoner demands instead. He 
promised to solve the prisoners' problems. "They also approached 
dialogue attempts positively and we solved the problem. Following the 
riot, all prisoners were accounted for." The prisoners claimed that 
their rooms were too crowded and living conditions poor.


30 September 2008, Tuesday
TODAY'S ZAMAN WITH WIRES İSTANBUL







http://www.dawn.com/2008/10/04/rss.htm#42

Hyderabad prisoners protest against jail administration Saturday, 04 
Oct, HYDERABAD: On the request of the administration of Central Prison, 
the police personnel have encircled the Hyderabad central prison in 
order to control the situation, which erupted as a result of the 
prisoners here on Saturday. According to official sources, the prisoners 
started protest when jail administration snatched a mobile phone from a 
prisoner. On the directives of the jail administration, tear gas shells 
were fired besides aerial firing in order to maintain law and order 
situation, however, the action created more resentment among the 
prisoners and they torched old clothes and bed sheets and pelted stone 
on jail staffers. After receiving this information Sindh Minister for 
Fisheries Zahid Bhurgari along with DIG Prison Nawaz Arain, Jail 
Superintendent Abdul Majeed Siddiqui and Acting District President PPP 
Amanullah Sial reached the jail and tried to negotiate with the 
prisoners, however, they demanded to call Advisor to Sindh Chief 
Minister on Prison for negotiations. (Posted @ 23:18 PST)






http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_prisoner-dies-after-clash-with-prison-guards_1190948

Prisoner dies after clash with prison guards
PTI
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 15:07 IST

KOLKATA: An inmate of the Presidency Jail here died on Wednesday after a 
clash with prison guards, police said.
"An inmate called Mohammad Azharuddin died on Wednesday morning at the 
jail hospital. He had suffered head injuries on Tuesday during a clash 
with prison guards. The inmates were resisting transfer of a prisoner to 
Dum Dum Central Jail on the outskirts of the city," S.R. Hossain, deputy 
inspector general of police (prison), said.
"We are trying to investigate if any foul play led to his death," 
Hossain added.
According to prison sources, about 50 prisoners who support city-based 
mafia don Gudda attacked the prison guards with blades and bricks on 
Tuesday afternoon while they were trying to transfer him to Dum Dum 
Central Jail. The guards, in turn, hit the prisoners with batons.
"In the clash, 20 prison guards and 30 inmates were injured. Gudda 
himself slashed his stomach and hand with blade to prevent his 
transfer," Hossain said.
Guddu's transfer has been postponed till he is discharged from the jail 
hospital.







http://www.kget.com/news/local/story/Tehachapi-Prison-on-Lockdown-after-Prison-Riot/mJpsTr9tgUKFt8SQjDLO7g.cspx

Tehachapi Prison on Lockdown after Prison Riot

Last Update: 9/05/2008 8:28 pm

The Tehachapi prison is still on lockdown and could be on lockdown for 
weeks. A prison riot Thursday sent 6 inmates to the hospital.
The disturbance began at around 5:15pm Thursday and involved about 180 
inmates housed in minimum custody. There are currently more than 12,000 
inmates housed in the facility.
Medical staff treated some inmates and sent 6 more to hospitals and now 
only 1 remains hospitalized, though the prison says his injuries are not 
life threatening.
The institution was placed on lockdown to facilitate an investigation of 
this incident. Prison officials say the lockdown could last anywhere 
from one day to several months.






http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0904/prison.html

'Minor' protest in Midlands Prison
Thursday, 4 September 2008 21:38
The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that what they are calling a 
'minor' protest has taken place in the Midlands Prison.
The incident happened at around 4pm inside the prison when a group of 18 
prisoners climbed over the bars around a landing and stood for a time on 
the protective netting separating the floors.
It is understood that their action was a protest against the new 
security measures in place at the prison, which the Prison Service say 
are yielding success.
A spokesman for the service said staff dealt with the incident 
professionally and brought it quickly to a conclusion without any 
injuries to people or damage to property.
Its understood the protest was sparked when a female visitor to one of 
the prisoners was stopped by prison officers, and subsequently arrested 
by gardaí on suspicion of trying to smuggle in drugs.
Its understood that those involved have been separated to different 
parts of the prison complex as punishment.






http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2008/09/27/6904446-cp.html

B.C. maximum-security prison remains under lockdown
By THE CANADIAN PRESS

AGASSIZ, B.C. - A maximum-security prison in Agassiz, B.C. is locked 
down today after a prisoner protest that began Friday morning.
Kent Institution spokeswoman Whitney Mullin says prisoners refused to 
return to their cells to protest a prison program.
Mullin says negotiators were brought in with prisoners eventually 
returning to cells early today.
An emergency response team was called to the prison and remains on-scene.
Mullin says the lockdown will continue until management determines the 
situation is safe.
No one was injured in the incident at the institution that houses 247 
inmates at the facility 120 kilometres east of Vancouver.