March 12, 2000 * No. 1046
Prison Rebellions Spread in Peru
Online presentation of photos by the CSRP. Select each for larger image.According to news reports by Spanish-language TV in the U.S. and the Peruvian press, there have been recent rebellions in other prisons in Peru. The reports say that these latest rebellion involve "common prisoners" - those who are not political prisoners. But two of the prisons where the latest protests took place also have political prisoners-Santa Monica women's prison in Chorrillos and Castro Castro (also know as Canto Grande) in Lima.
Hundreds of prisoners take the roofs of Lurigancho prison.
Most of the reports were about the largest of these protests, at the Lurigancho prison in the Lima area. TV news and Peruvian daily La Republica reported that on February 28, 4,000 "common" prisoners at Lurigancho refused to return to their cells, started burning mattresses and went up to the roof of the prison. They hung banners from the walls calling for better prison conditions and faster handling of their cases (most of these prisoners have not even been tried yet).
Family members look on as helicopters bomb the prisoners with tear gas (center).
Women prisoners hold up signs for better prison conditions (right).
The authorities sent in 1,500 special riot police to put down the rebellion. Helicopters dropped teargas onto the roof. According to initial reports, two to four prisoners were killed and an unknown number wounded. It is not clear what the situation in now. Family members gathered outside to protest.
Family members of prisoners fight the police outside of Lurigancho prison, Feb 28.
According to the news reports, these latest series of prison rebellions may have been sparked by the February 6 uprising of political prisoners at Yanamayo. Other recent prison protests include a hunger strike by 20 women prisoners at Santa Monica women's prison in Chorrillos. There were also rebellions or attempted protests at the Tacna women's prison, Cachiche, and at the maximum security prison at Canto Grande. The February 29 issue of La Republica reported several more prison protests: 300 prisoners at the Piura men's prison, 89 at the Sullana women's prison and 1,200 at Huanuco. There was also a reported protest at the Socabaya women's prison, where Lori Berenson-the woman from the U.S. who is accused of being a member of the MRTA group-is imprisoned.
The Committee to Support the Revolution in Peru (USA)
PO Box 1246, Berkeley, California 94701
415-252-5786 * Fax: 415-252-7414
www.csrp.org