Maximum security prisoners are sprayed with TEAR GAS after rioting over blistering temperatures - as mercury hits 50C in cells
- Unruly prisoners have been sprayed with tear gas after rioting due to heat
- About 70 inmates at Alice Springs Correction Facility broke into security area
- Prisoners demanded ice and cordial to help deal with scorching temperatures
Unruly prisoners have been sprayed with tear gas after they began rioting in protest at what they claim are insufferable conditions inside sweltering cells.
About 70 inmates at Alice Springs Correctional Facility in the Northern Territory broke into a maximum security area of the prison and smashed security equipment on Saturday night.
The prisoners demanded ice and cordial to help them deal with the heat inside their cells, the NT News reported.
About 70 inmates at Alice Springs Correctional Facility (pictured) in the Northern Territory broke into a maximum security area of the prison and began breaking security equipment
Prison officers said the riot was caused by overcrowding at the prison and scorching temperatures, which have soared to 50C in parts of central Australia.
'This is what happens when you've got 16 prisoners sharing a dorm with no aircon and the temperature hitting 50C outside for days,' a prison officer said.
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'This morning it was 37C at seven in the morning so you can imagine what these guys are feeling like.'
Prisoners were out of a secure area in the facility for hours before officers used tear gas to force them back inside.
An officer said the prison was ill-equipped to deal with a rapidly growing population.
Prison officers said the riot was caused by overcrowding at the prison and scorching temperatures, which have soared to 50C in parts of central Australia (stock image)
'That place was built for 350 (people) and there's 650 in there. It's a toxic environment. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt,' he said.
Temperatures in the mid 40s are expected for Alice Springs during the first week of 2019, reaching a high of 45C on Friday.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Northern Territory Department of Attorney-General and Justice for comment.
