Colombia: Police search for 23 escaped young offenders following prison riot
- 10 years ago
Police in Colombia are still searching for 23 escaped prisoners from an juvenile detention centre in Bogota.
In all 43 minors fled during the riot.
A fire broke out in prison dormitories when mattresses were set ablaze.
Firefighters were called to the scene.
Colombian prisons face overcrowding problems and have experienced several strikes by prison guards over the issue and general work conditions.
Official figures reveal that the country’s 138 prisons house over 41,000 prisoners more than they were build for.
One measure implemented in 2013 sought to relieve pressure on the strained system by providing for the release of as many as 9,000 inmates convicted for minor offences.
In Tuesday’s riot at least 27 police and security personnel were injured as well as several detainees.
In all 43 minors fled during the riot.
A fire broke out in prison dormitories when mattresses were set ablaze.
Firefighters were called to the scene.
Colombian prisons face overcrowding problems and have experienced several strikes by prison guards over the issue and general work conditions.
Official figures reveal that the country’s 138 prisons house over 41,000 prisoners more than they were build for.
One measure implemented in 2013 sought to relieve pressure on the strained system by providing for the release of as many as 9,000 inmates convicted for minor offences.
In Tuesday’s riot at least 27 police and security personnel were injured as well as several detainees.