Prison riots over food shortages in Bolivia

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

STORY: Police tried to quell prison riots at three separate prisons in Cochabamba, using tear gas and patrolling rooftops and patios.

With covered faces and simulating a crucifixion, the inmates protested over food shortages at the prisons. The prisoners also argued prison authorities have not released the necessary funds to buy food for the last two months, local media reported.

At the San Sebastian prison, inmates bashed iron roofs with bottles and wooden sticks.

Money allocated by the government to fund prison maintenance has been scarce, local media reported.

Bolivia's prison system is also affected by overcrowding, due to a slow judicial process that has kept some 80 percent of men and women behind bars for years awaiting a verdict.

According to local media, in just three years, between 2010 and 2014, the prison population doubled going from 7,433 to 14,242 prisoners.