Guards at Ghent prison have to lock themselves away to protect themselves

There were several incidents at Ghent prison on Saturday, which occured after two prisoners had to be placed in isolation, local police have confirmed. Five guards had to lock themselves away to protect themselves from the other prisoners.

The prisoners were agitated due to a previous incident, explains Manuel Mugica Gonzalez, spokesman for the local Ghent police.

“A small group of prisoners were causing problems. The ringleaders were placed in isolation, but the others continued to be agitated. Five guards had to lock themselves away in an area of the prison to protect themselves. Six prisoners were still moving around, but police went inside to rescue the guards”. It was absolutely not a hostage situation, the local police added.

Laurent Sempot, the spokesman for the penitentiary administration, confirmed there had been tensions within the prison. They say around 20 prisoners are behind the incidents. He added there was no danger of escape as the prisoners were in an area of the prison that contains cells.

Numerous police were present, and the area was closed down.

(Source: Belga)


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