Inmates Hold Three Guards in Oklahoma

Inmates at an overcrowded state prison held three guards hostage Saturday after a fiery uprising that left one dormitory gutted and two others damaged, officials said. One guard and one inmate were injured.

Eight guards were grabbed by 10 prisoners when the disturbance began, but five hostages were released unharmed Saturday and the others were reported in good condition, officials at the medium-security Mack Alford Correctional Center said.

The inmates, believed to be armed with crude knives, threatened to kill their hostages if authorities attempted a rescue, said Jerry Massie, spokesman for the state Department of Corrections.

“One inmate is keeping it going,” prison spokeswoman Anita Trammell said. “I think the inmates are tired. We have one leader. I think if it wasn’t for the leader, things would have been closed up.”

The uprising began late Friday after some inmates accused others of theft and threatened retaliation, authorities said. A group of inmates were being prepared for transfer to a maximum-security prison when they seized hostages.

“They released the (fifth) hostage in return for getting to talk to two specific negotiators,” Massie said. He would not identify the negotiators.

Officials said the inmates had “a short list” of demands, but they refused to disclose them.