Prison rebellion in Ecuador

Inmates say rebellion could spread

Prisoners at a jail in the Ecuadorean capital, Quito, are holding hundreds of hostages, including women and children.

The prisoners began their rebellion on Wednesday, demanding better conditions and a resumption of sentence reductions hearings.

At least 650 inmates set fire to mattresses and barricaded themselves inside the Garcia Morena prison with about 180 visiting relatives.

Extra police were deployed outside the 18th century building, but there were no reports of serious violence.

An inmate spokesman, Dario Vargas, insisted the relatives were not hostages.

Cases delayed ''They are relatives of prisoners who have said they will stay with us until there is a solution to the problem,'' he said.

Vargas said the rioting prisoners had received messages of support from other jails and warned the rebellion could spread.

The prisoners want better conditions and immediate implementation of a law to cut prison sentences.

The council reviewing inmates' sentences had delayed processing cases because of a disagreement over how the reduction law should be interpreted.

Prisoners want sentences reduced by 50% but some interpretations of the law say it only permits a 25% cut.

Prison spokesman Patricio Jhayya said 50 prisoners' cases would be reviewed on Thursday, possibly leading to the end of the mutiny.