At least one killed as inmates take staff hostage in Russian prison

Incident in Volgograd took place during meeting of jail’s disciplinary commission with ‘several prisoners’ involved.

Russian inmates have taken staff hostage at a prison colony in the southern Volgograd region in the second such event since June, officials said.

At least one member of the prison staff was killed in the incident on Friday, state media reported.

“During a session of a disciplinary commission, convicts took staff of the penal institution as hostages,” Russia’s federal penitentiary service said in a statement.

“Measures are currently being taken to free the hostages. There are casualties,” the statement added.

Russia’s investigative committee said “several prisoners” were involved.