Ex-Warden Blames Rioting On Lax Guards

Guards were too chummy and failed to take precautions to prevent inmates from seizing weapons and hostages at a northern prison, the ex-warden said Saturday, the third day of the standoff that has left four guards dead.

“It was known for some time that there was a plan to take the prison,” the former prison chief told The Associated Press.

About 10 to 15 inmates took over the Valledupar district prison Thursday, overpowering guards, taking as many as 15 hostages and seizing weapons. A large number of the prison’s 596 inmates apparently joined the takeover.

“The inmates should have to pass through three locked gates to get to the storeroom where the guns are,” the ex-warden said, on condition of anonymity. Instead, they easily walked through and overpowered the guards, seizing an arsenal including five rifles, a dozen handguns, five smoke grenades and 1,200 rounds of ammunition.