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Indonesian authorities are searching for scores of inmates who have escaped from an overcrowded prison on Sumatra island.
- 200 to 250 prisoners escaped, with 130 quickly recaptured
- They escaped after being let out of cells for Friday prayers
- Overcrowding and discontent at special treatment of some prisoners were factors
Hundreds of police and soldiers were deployed near Sialang Bungkuk Prison in Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, and were blockading roads to the capital and other provinces, said Justice and Human Rights Ministry official Wayan Dusak.
Mr Dusak said the escape occurred when prisoners were let out of their cells to take part in Friday prayers and overwhelmed the six guards on duty.
Local police spokesman Colonel Guntur Aryo Tejo estimated the number of prisoners who escaped to be around 200 to 250, of whom 130 had been recaptured.
Some surrendered, while others were captured by police or residents, Mr Tejo said.
He added that some were reportedly beaten by residents who found them trying to steal their motorbikes.
Local television showed dozens of men running from the prison and some being captured by police.
The prison, which has a capacity of 361, was holding more than 1,870 people, Mr Tejo said.
"It seemed that many of the inmates alleged that there was discrimination in treatment of those accused of general crimes compared to special ones," Mr Tejo said, referring to officials and others accused of corruption who allegedly received better treatment.
In the capital Jakarta, national police spokesman Brigadier General Rikwanto said the jailbreak was sparked by overcrowding.
"A riot occurred in one of the cells inhabited by 100 people because of overcrowding," said Mr Rikwanto.
"That led to a physical clash among the inmates that could not be controlled by the prison guards."
About 300 policemen and soldiers were deployed to guard the prison.
AP
Topics: prisons-and-punishment, government-and-politics, crime, indonesia, asia