Colombia’s Prosecutor-General’s Office has launched an investigation into the deaths of three inmates caused by a homemade alcoholic drink at a maximum security prison, local media reported on Tuesday.
According to El Espectador newspaper, the three dead prisoners were among 28 inmates poisoned by the concoction of ethyl alcohol, mouthwash, and psychiatric medicines. Several of these prisoners had to be hospitalized in local facilities.
The committee of the Prosecutor-General’s office will be investigating the exact cause of death of the prisoners in addition to the emergency response made by prison officials at the time of the event.
According to El Colombiano newspaper, the wife of one of the deceased inmates criticized the Colombia’s prison authority INPEC for having failed to keep her informed and instead directed her to the hospital.
This latest incident comes at a time when INPEC is already under scrutiny.
On August 21, at least 1,000 prison guards went on strike against overcrowding levels in the system, in addition to lay-offs and poor work contracts.
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