Riots Over Mexican Jail Conditions Claim 23 Lives

The death toll has risen to 23 people after a second riot broke out yesterday at the Tijuana State Penitentiary. Some 8,500 inmates are housed in a building currently operating at well over 200% of its original capacity.

The first uprising came Sunday after a 19 year-old inmate died from a blow to the head, inflicted by prison guards.

After word got out about his death, both family members and inmates decided to confront authorities in what they say is systematic abuse, torture, sexual molestation and threats. For many, the riot was long coming, due to the deep tears in the Mexican judicial system where justice is still rarely available for the poor, and rampant corruption and political interests still dictate privilege for the few. Mariana Martínez has this report.

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