Inmates swallowed blades after not being allowed to attend prison concert

Some 14 inmates at Corradino Prisons have been admitted to Mater Dei Hospital after allegedly swallowing blades in a protest against the prison's authorities.

The incident developed this morning, after the inmates alleged that they were excluded from participating in a concert which was held yesterday evening at the Prison's facilities.

The inmates are said to have protested at what they described as discriminatory treatment by the prison authority.

In a statement, the CCF said that at the last of a series of summer events organised for inmates, which included a musical performance by a local band on Sunday 30 September in the chapel yard, 14 inmates who were not able to attend allegedly swallowed shaving razor-blades possibly covered in adhesive tape as a sign of protest.

"For reasons of security, this event was open only for those inmates housed in the divisions which were closest to the yard in question. Furthermore, inmates who could have presented a security risk were not allowed to attend either. The event itself was uneventful. However, a small group of prisoners who who were not able to attend allegedly swallowed shaving razor-blades possibly covered in adhesive tape as a sign of protest," the CCF said.

All 14 prisoners were medically examined by the doctor on duty at the CCF and referred to Mater Dei Hospital for further investigation.
 
All prisoners were returned back to the CCF after being examined and deemed not to require and further care.