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Fighting between inmates at Brazil prison kills 15 Brazil jail violence: Forty-two inmates found dead at separate prisons
(about 16 hours later)
Fighting at a prison in northern Brazil has left 15 inmates dead, according to local officials. Forty-two inmates have been found dead at separate prisons in northern Brazil a day after 15 prisoners were killed during gang clashes, officials say.
The clashes reportedly broke out on Sunday during visiting hours at Anísio Jobim Penitentiary Complex, in Manaus. The latest deaths, which were reported in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state, all appeared to be the result of asphyxiation, authorities said.
Some of the victims were stabbed with sharpened toothbrushes in front of visitors, whilst others were strangled to death. They added that staff had discovered the victims during routine inspections at four different prison facilities.
Officials say the violence has been contained and an investigation has begun into the cause of the struggle. A task force has been sent to "control the disturbances," officials said.
Several other inmates were injured in Monday's incidents, according to Brazil's Globo news website (in Portuguese).
On Sunday, clashes reportedly broke out during visiting hours at Anísio Jobim Penitentiary Complex in the region.
Officials said the prisoners were stabbed with sharpened toothbrushes and strangled to death.
An investigation is reportedly under way to determine the cause of the violence over the weekend, which was witnessed by visitors.
"It was total chaos," the mother of an inmate - who did not wish to be named - told the Rio Times."It was total chaos," the mother of an inmate - who did not wish to be named - told the Rio Times.
"Everyone started to run, and everyone was pounding on the cell gates, at the doors, and running down the aisles". "Everyone started to run, and everyone was pounding on the cell gates, at the doors, and running down the corridors."
OvercrowdingOvercrowding
It comes only two years after infighting killed 56 at the same jail, one of the deadliest riots ever in a Brazilian prison.It comes only two years after infighting killed 56 at the same jail, one of the deadliest riots ever in a Brazilian prison.
Brazil has the world's third-largest prison population - 712,305 inmates in April this year, according to official figures.Brazil has the world's third-largest prison population - 712,305 inmates in April this year, according to official figures.
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The population is nearly double the capacity of Brazil's prisons. This has led to severe overcrowding, fuelling gang violence, riots and sometimes breakout attempts.The population is nearly double the capacity of Brazil's prisons. This has led to severe overcrowding, fuelling gang violence, riots and sometimes breakout attempts.
In early 2017, several violent rebellions left 119 people dead in jails in northern Brazil.In early 2017, several violent rebellions left 119 people dead in jails in northern Brazil.
Around 92 inmates also escaped last September after heavily armed men set off explosives outside a prison and shot their way inside, killing a policeman.Around 92 inmates also escaped last September after heavily armed men set off explosives outside a prison and shot their way inside, killing a policeman.
Attempts to reform the prison system and to introduce tighter controls have met with resistance from powerful criminal gangs which operate both inside and outside of jails.Attempts to reform the prison system and to introduce tighter controls have met with resistance from powerful criminal gangs which operate both inside and outside of jails.
Earlier this year, gangs launched around 80 attacks on public buildings, banks, buses and petrol stations - many of them believed to have been carried out in retaliation for the proposed reforms.Earlier this year, gangs launched around 80 attacks on public buildings, banks, buses and petrol stations - many of them believed to have been carried out in retaliation for the proposed reforms.