The Nation - News from Nov. 22, 1987

Rioting Cuban inmates took guards hostage and set fires inside the Federal Alien Detention Center, and at least 12 people were hurt. Officials sealed off the prison at Oakdale, La., and said they were trying to negotiate release of the undetermined number of hostages. The injuries were mostly smoke inhalation, and no deaths were reported, although shots were fired. The center’s administration building was reportedly gutted. The riot was reportedly triggered by Cuba’s agreement to take back about 2,500 refugees, most of them criminals or mentally ill, who arrived in the 1980 Mariel boatlift. Most of the 1,050 inmates at the center are Cuban.