Ecuador jail revolt over

Inmates freed all the hostages unharmed

Prisoners at a jail in the Ecuadorean capital, Quito, have ended a 24-hour strike after the government agreed to reduce some prison sentences.

More than 100 visiting relatives who had been taken hostage were freed unharmed from the Garcia Moreno prison.

It's over and we managed to get exactly what is written in the law

Inmate Victor Romero

At least 650 inmates joined the uprising on Thursday, demanding better conditions and immediate implementation of a law to cut prison sentences.

In response, the authorities shortened the sentences of 57 prisoners and said another 100 cases would be reviewed starting on Friday.

''It's over and we managed to get exactly what is written in the law achieved,'' inmate Victor Romero said in a telephone interview.

Law dispute

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

Many of relatives said they had remained voluntarily with the inmates.

The rebellion was prompted by delays in reviewing sentences due to a disagreement over how the reduction law should be interpreted.

The authorities said they had accepted the prisoners' demand that sentences be cut by 50% instead of 25%.