KINGSTON, (Reuters) – Inmates in a Jamaica prison rioted overnight after guards tried to crack down on drug trafficking, injuring 36 prisoners and nine officers, authorities said yesterday.
Soldiers and riot police used tear gas and batons to restore order at the Horizon Remand Centre in West Kingston, said Richard Reece, an official with the Ministry of National Security, said.
“We are back to normal now and the situation has been contained,” he said.
The inmates, some of whom suffered broken bones in the riot, had lit fires in their cells and attacked guards who opened the cell doors, authorities said.
The prisoners were also protesting against water supply shortages, which have affected parts of the Caribbean island since the end of last year.