An official in the Democratic Republic of Congo says gunmen have attacked a jail in the southeastern state of Katanga, killing two people and allowing nearly 1,000 prisoners to escape. Katanga provincial minister Dikanga Kazadi said eight assailants attacked guards at the prison on Wednesday in a bid to free a jailed militant. He said […]
Nearly 1,000 Prisoners Escape DR Congo Jail
Posted September 7th, 2011 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
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Ivory Coast Prison Reopens After Jail Break
Posted August 16th, 2011 at 4:40 pm (UTC-5)
Authorities in Ivory Coast have reopened the country’s main prison in Abidjan after it was closed for months because of a mass prison break. Officials say Tuesday’s reopening is a step toward security and normalcy after the country’s post-election conflict. Sixteen inmates were transferred to the prison from a military camp. As Ivory Coast’s violence […]
ACLU: Reduce Crime by Reducing Prison Sentences
Posted August 9th, 2011 at 9:00 pm (UTC-5)
A report from the American Civil Liberties Union says several U.S. states have reduced crime – and saved money – by putting fewer people behind bars. The report, released Tuesday, says one in 99 people living in the U.S. are in prison, making the country the world’s largest incarcerator. But it said a number of […]
Mexican Prison Director Arrested After 17 Die in Prison Fight
Posted August 3rd, 2011 at 5:35 am (UTC-5)
Mexican authorities confirmed Tuesday that the director of a prison in Ciudad Juarez and four guards at the facility have been taken into custody in connection with a July 25 fight that resulted in the death of 17 inmates. Chihuahua state officials said in a statement Tuesday that state prison director Lucio Cuevas is accused […]
Pardon Reaches Philippine Prisoner Too Late
Posted July 29th, 2011 at 3:50 am (UTC-5)
A prisoner rights group in the Philippines has criticized President Benigno Aquino for signing a compassionate pardon for an ailing prisoner who had already died. The rights group Task Force of the Philippines said Friday that 63-year-old Mariano Umbrero died on July 15 from lung cancer, four days before Mr. Aquino signed the pardon that […]
Mexican Prison Riot Leaves 17 Dead
Posted July 27th, 2011 at 2:40 am (UTC-5)
Mexican authorities say 17 people were killed and two others wounded during a prison riot in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Police said Tuesdy gunshots could be heard coming from inside the Cereso prison. The Norte newspaper reported that some of the prisoners may have been dressed as prison guards. Meanwhile, the mayor of Ciudad Juarez, Hector […]
Prisoners at Venezuelan Prison End 27-Day Standoff
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
Venezuelan prisoners at a detention facility east of Caracas have surrendered to authorities after a 27-day standoff. Information Minister Andres Izarra said on his Twitter feed Wednesday that the inmates — around 1,000 in all — are being taken out of the prison and appear to be in good health. The detainees took control of […]
Armed Inmates Hold Off Troops at Venezuelan Prison
Posted June 18th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Hundreds of Venezuelan troops are trying to regain control of a large prison east of Caracas where thousands of armed inmates have been holding them off for a week. Since Sunday, 24 people have been killed at the El Rodeo prison in Guatire, east of the capital – 21 prisoners, one visitor and two national […]
Venezuelan Troops Try to Retake Control of Prison
Posted June 17th, 2011 at 6:05 pm (UTC-5)
Venezuelan national guard troops have launched an operation to retake control of a prison where 22 people died in rioting by inmates earlier this week. The troops stormed the prison Friday, igniting a gunfight with armed inmates. A Venezuelan deputy minister, Nestor Reverol, says at least six of the troops suffered gunshot wounds. Officials say […]
