TIJUANA – As top state officials faced persistent questions about the deaths of at least 17 inmates during Wednesday's rioting inside La Mesa state penitentiary, workmen yesterday covered up bullet holes and graffiti on the exterior walls and fixed damaged areas inside.
Members of Baja California Gov. José Guadalupe Osuna Millán's Cabinet toured the overcrowded prison in Tijuana, reporting progress in treating injured prisoners, offering psychological assistance to 900 inmates and attention for 344 addicts overcoming withdrawal.
“They've attended to some things,” said Francisco Javier Sánchez Corona, the state's human rights ombudsman, who accompanied the group. “But there are still many inmate demands that remain unmet.”
Sánchez said state officials have yet to address the inhumane treatment of inmates and guarantee their rights to receive visits from family, including conjugal visits.
At least 23 people have died after disturbances Sunday and Wednesday, said Agustín Pérez, spokesman for Baja California's Public Safety Secretariat; the death toll has risen as inmates have died from their wounds. Most of those found dead Wednesday inside the penitentiary were shot as police fought to regain control of the prison, but state officials have not explained what happened.
Two guards are accused of killing an inmate Sept. 13. That death may have ignited the first riot.
Baja California's secretary of public safety, Daniel de la Rosa, who has borne the brunt of the criticism for the police actions, said yesterday that city, state and federal police and military troops restored order “through a reasonable and legitimate use of force.”
The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana reported that two of the dead inmates are U.S. citizens, as are at least two of the injured inmates. A consulate employee visited an inmate at the prison's infirmary, but “we haven't been able to visit the Americans in the general population yet,” said Charles Smith, the consulate's spokesman.
Outside the prison, the normally bustling Avenida de los Charros was nearly empty yesterday afternoon. Police had blocked traffic around the prison, and the state courthouse next door was closed. Many small shops and attorney's offices were shuttered.
Inside the penitentiary, workmen washed walls, fixed windows and metal bars, restored the damaged classroom area and fixed the electrical system, a news release said.
Sandra Dibble: (619) 293-1716; sandra.dibble@uniontrib.com
