Officials find Rio jail 'run by inmates'

Brazilian officials investigating corruption charges against guards at a prison in Rio de Janeiro were astounded to discover the facility was being run by the inmates themselves, media reported on Wednesday.

The 150 prisoners in the Polinter penitentiary in the northern Baixada Fluminense suburb of the city had keys to their cells and controlled who visited the prison and what magazines were delivered there, the local RJTV station of Brazil's Globo network said.

Officials with the state's public ministry uncovered the unusual situation as they probed allegations that municipal police assigned to guard the prison were taking bribes from the inmates.

When the officials arrived at the prison for their investigation they were let inside by inmates, since only one guard was on duty.

Police seized a pistol, ammunition, mobile phones and several account books detailing payments prisoners made for larger cells and improved conditions, the BBC reported.