Mexico Prison Riot Kills 19

At La Mesa State Penitentiary in Tijuana, Mexico, the second riot in a week broke out in prison walls, resulting in police shooting and killing 19 inmates. Another 12 inmates were injured and two are in critical condition after Wednesday's riot. Families of inmates claim the riot began on Wednesday because of claims that they had not been given food or water since Sunday's first riot, while state authorities claim it was just "prison troublemakers." La Mesa's warden and two other top prison officials have been suspended and state authorities plan on conducting an investigation of irregular conduct. Instances like this in La Mesa contribute to the notion that Mexico's prison systems are corrupt and overcrowded. La Mesa inmates became infamous worldwide after they in effect built and ran "their own city" inside the prison courtyard, complete with the buying and selling of townhomes, running shops, and hiring prostitutes. Since then, violence and outbreaks still continue to be an issue at La Mesa and other Mexican prisons.