Police forcefully remove prison guards blocking entrance to Justice Center

SANTIAGO.- During a 5-minute operation carried out just after 9:30 A.M today, officers belonging to the Santiago Centro Police Station and Special Police Forces forcefully removed Warden and Prison Guard officials that had been protesting in front of the defendant entrance to the Justice Center.

Police officers arrested a dozen people, including technical and professional personnel belonging to the Chilean Warden's Association.

After removing the protesters, Warden officials took down the banners that had been placed in the area and allowed defendants that had been waiting outside of the locale in police vehicles to enter the premises.

The protest, which has expanded to ten regions, was summoned by the National Associations of Warden Officials and Sub-officials, as well as professional and technical personnel belonging to the entity. The protesters are allegedly demanding improved wages and work conditions, an increase to the force, better living conditions for prisoners, as well as the elimination of the 26th rank.