Eight detained for penitentiary arson

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Eight inmates were placed under police custody for allegedly provoking a jailbreak attempt in the early hours on Wednesday.

Makassar Penitentiary chief Djati Setiawan said the prisoners, identified as Bram, Iwan, Gani, Basri, Jabur, Tono, Aco and Enal, had instigated others to burn a block of the jail compound.

"Thank God, we managed to extinguish the fire so it could not spread to other blocks in the penitentiary," Djati told The Jakarta Post. No prisoners escaped during the disturbance.

He said the suspects apparently emulated some 200 inmates who escaped from the Gunung Sari Penitentiary in August after setting fire to it. Eight prisoners of the Gunung Sari Penitentiary are still at large. (27/jun)