Prisoners in Brazil Die During Riots Over Water Supply

Brazilian officials say 18 prisoners at the Pedrinhas Penitentiary in northern Brazil died in riots this week. The prisoners were protesting Pedrinhas director Luis Henrique Pena de Freitas, the amount of time it takes the judicial system to process their lawsuits and the prison’s water supply. Official say the water supply problem is being fixed. Inmates were also demanding their lawsuits be processed faster and de Freitas be replaced.

The first riot began Monday morning and lasted until around noon Tuesday. At least 15 inmates died in that riot. The second broke out Tuesday in another building and 3 inmates died. No police officers were injured or killed. Five officers were held hostage by prisoners, but they were freed unharmed.

The Pedrinhas Penitentiary is located in Sao Luis, the capital of Maranhao state

###

Click here for more World News