Asked why the inmates rioted and complained of conditions, he shrugged and said: "They're prisoners.

The two worlds are so close that residents once sat on their porches and listened to gunshots and sirens as inmates rioted.

Last week the inmates rioted after a guard reportedly squirted pepper spray at a prisoner using the bathroom without permission.

The inmates rioted Saturday night, seizing hostages and burning down 10 of the compound's 14 buildings.

Special forces units moved into the prison after inmates rioted, set parts of the prison on fire and refused to negotiate, according to regional news reports.

In 1975 inmates rioted, setting fire to the maintenance block.

Several years ago, inmates at one of the centers rioted to protest searches of their possessions.

In October 2006, 10 inmates rioted at the prison damaging toilets and shower facilities at the prison.

And a state inquiry now finds that after inmates rioted as the strike ended, some guards retaliated with gratuitous beatings.

On 16 March 2008, after a two-week dispute over arrests following an attempted jail-break, inmates rioted and took over sections of the building.