I’ve watched too many harrowing episodes of Locked Up Abroad to ever put myself in a scenario where I would go to a Mexican prison, and this CCTV footage of a horrific prison riot in Mexico solidifies every one of my fears about being locked up abroad.
The sped-up surveillance video exhibits the deadly riots that occurred at Topo Chico prison in early February. Not so surprising, the chaos was caused by a drug cartel. At 1:30 a.m. on February 10, a riot broke out between rival factions of the Los Zetas drug cartels and there were several explosions. Federal police and military surrounded the prison, which only has 100 correctional officers for 3,800 inmates, and were able to end the devastation after a couple of hours.
Local governor Jaime Rodriguez said 60 hammers, 86 knives and 120 shivs were used in the bloodbath. There were 49 people who were hacked, beaten or burned to death, plus 11 who were injured.
Once the pandemonium was quashed, authorities discovered luxuries such as saunas, a bar and some 280 food and grocery stands. Inside the prisoner’s cells, there were mini-fridges, air conditioners, digital cable TV and even aquariums.
Well actually, digital cable and saunas? Maybe being locked up abroad isn’t so bad after all.