Adelaide Prisoners Get Tough

Yatala Prison, in South Australia, erupted when about 30 prisoners attacked 4 screws and took them hostage in a 12 hour stand off over preferential treatment given to protective prisoners - ex-police, informers and paedophiles. Previous sit-ins and protests over the issue had resulted in bashings from the screws. With nothing to lose, they threatened to burn the prison down if police special operations moved in. After their demands were read over South Australian television by the State Minister of Corrections, they all emerged from the prison, with the remaining two screws leaving last. It remains to be seen how the screws and prison administration will clamp down on supposed 'ringleaders' and the general prison population over this latest fight.

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