Dozens of inmates seized control of an entire cell block during a riot in an Australia jail today, police and prison officials said.
"Some 40 or so inmates have isolated themselves in a part of the prison," police said.
A Correctional Service Department spokesman said no prison officers were involved and no hostages had been taken during the riot at the Port Augusta Prison in South Australia state.
"Our emergency response group is working with police," the spokesman said.
There were no reports of injuries.
Tensions in the prison - 300 kms northwest of the state capital Adelaide - have escalated in recent months with overcrowding at record levels, said AdelaideNow. Port Augusta Prison is a multi-purpose jail for up to 280 high-, medium- and low-security prisoners, including inmates needing protection and others with special needs.
It attracted intense publicity in July 2004, when it was revealed inmates were using a hole in a fence to leave the jail to attend parties in nearby Port Augusta town before returning with contraband including pornography and cigarettes.