Brazilian authorities say they have begun transferring inmates from a prison in the southern city of Cascavel after riots inside turned deadly -- with two inmates decapitated and two thrown off the roof of a cell block.Prisoners, demanding better living conditions and more flexible visiting hours, overpowered guards Saturday at the State Penitentiary in Cascavel. They burned mattresses and damaged cells.
On Monday, rioters held numerous inmates and two guards hostage as negotiations for their demands continued.The rioters say they will release the guards only after 600 inmates are transferred elsewhere. Authorities dispatched vans to take them.
The prison housed just over 1,000 inmates, according to local media reports.
Prison riots are not uncommon in Brazil, often sparked by overcrowding, poor conditions and rivalry between criminal gangs.
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