Jojutla prison control dispute leaves 14 injured as authorities allege bid for self-government

A dispute over control of the Jojutla district prison in southern Morelos left 14 inmates injured, including some with open head wounds and injuries caused by bladed weapons.

Josué Israel Molina Díaz, coordinator of Morelos’ penitentiary system, identified two leaders among the incarcerated population who allegedly wanted to establish self-government. He said the groups encouraged their followers to fight, while the rest of the prison population remained calm to avoid worsening their own legal situations.

José Luis Bucio Quiroz, secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, said the fight began at 10:25 a.m. and ended around 10:40 a.m. The inmates threw chairs and exchanged blows. Six of the 14 injured people were taken to hospitals because of the seriousness of their injuries, while the others received medical attention inside the prison.

The Security and Citizen Protection Secretariat said prison staff brought the incident under control by following established protocols. Penitentiary guards mobilized to contain the groups, subdue those involved and regain control of the cells.

Paramedics treated inmates diagnosed with multiple blunt-force injuries, and authorities said their condition was stable. However, reports said three of those taken to hospitals were in serious condition because they had suffered wounds from bladed weapons.