More prisoners killed in Venezuelan jails, rights group says

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- More than an inmate a day were killed in Venezuela's crowded prisons last year, as riots and weapons trafficking ran rampant behind bars, a human rights group said in an annual report on Wednesday.

Some 498 Venezuelan prisoners were killed in riots and other violent acts in 2007, up from 412 in 2006, according to the Venezuelan Observatory of Prisons, the leading prison watchdog in Venezuela. The group has monitored jail conditions in the country for more than five years and conducts regular prison visits.

So far this year, at least 15 prisoners have died, the group's director, Humberto Prado, told a news conference called to present the report -- complete with photos of mutilated prisoners' bodies.

Prado blamed the killings largely on arms trafficking inside prison. Officials seized 3,825 weapons, including 3,000 knives and 200 pistols, in Venezuelan jails last year, he said.

The government didn't comment publicly Wednesday on the report. But in his recent state of the nation address, Chavez said the government needs to focus more attention on improving poor prison conditions.

Prado's group urged the government to decentralize prison administration, tasking state governments with running their own jails, as he said the nation's constitution requires.

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USA Steve wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:12 AM:

" Some members of this prison population will likely end up here in the U.S., and we won't even know about their background until they have commited a crime, or perhaps never! I'm sure our government has done "background checks" on all of the wonderful people that come here "illegally". Embrace diversity, these "animals" need a "turf" too! Why not in your back yard. Bring me your poor, sick, mentally ill, aids infested, murderers, thieves, rapists, child molesters, etc. because we don't have enough already! WE are getting the mentality of what is present inside and outside of this prison. Embrace their "culture", more than one person a day killed, and their government allows this! Comming to a community near you. Can't wait! "

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