Mexico-Prison Riot

Official: At least 40 dead in Mexico prison riot

   MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -- A prison riot in Mexico has left at least 40 people
 dead.
   A spokesman for Nuevo Leon state public security says the riot broke out over
night in a high-security section of a prison near the northern industrial city of
Monterrey. He says a group of inmates in one cell block started to riot and took
a guard hostage. The riot then spread to a second cell block.
   Authorities regained control of the prison a couple hours later, but not until
after at least 40 people were killed.
   Families of the prisoners gathered outside the prison shouting at police to
demand word of the victims.
   Gangs and drug cartels periodically stage jail breaks and battle for control
of Mexican prisons, often with the involvement of officials.
   AP-WF-02-19-12 1926GMT