On a Sunday morning in Suriname, inmates held at the Uitvlugt police station’s detention block launched a coordinated uprising, fueled by long-simmering grievances over provided meals and visitation policies. Authorities from the Suriname Police Corps confirmed on Wednesday that the unrest, which began at approximately 10 a.m., has been fully contained, and a potential mass escape has been successfully prevented. According to the police’s public relations division, the unrest originated from two core complaints from the incarcerated individuals: first, widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of state-provided meals delivered to the facility, and second, strong objection to existing regulations that ban visitors from bringing in certain personal items, most notably instant noodles like popular Indomie brand soup. What began as a collective protest quickly escalated into open insurrection. Inmates ripped cell block doors from their hinges, constructed barricades at the main entrance to the detention wing, and caused extensive property damage throughout the facility. Multiple reports also confirm that protestors threw contaminated water and waste at on-duty police officers stationed at the complex. In response to the rapidly escalating crisis, police leadership ordered an immediate evacuation of the entire cell block. All inmates were swiftly transferred to other detention facilities across the region, with identified suspected ringleaders of the uprising moved to the central prison, the House of Detention, to prevent further unrest. In a post-incident briefing, police officials clarified that the catering service responsible for meals at Uitvlugt also supplies food to multiple other detention facilities in Suriname, and no complaints about meal quality have been recorded at any other location. This lack of parallel complaints has led investigators to conclude that the uprising was deliberately incited by a small group of inmates, rather than being a spontaneous response to poor conditions. Police spokesperson further noted that the unrest is likely linked to recent severe sentencing demands brought against several of the suspected ringleaders. The protest was allegedly orchestrated to create chaos that would enable an escape attempt, a plot that law enforcement successfully dismantled before it could progress. The operation to regain control of the facility was led by Haimee Hip, regional commander for Paramaribo and chief inspector, who coordinated closely with the Uitvlugt regional commander and his command staff. Additional tactical support was provided by the specialized Arrest Team and the Paramaribo Regional Assistance Team, allowing authorities to regain control of the facility without extended conflict.
Politie: Opstand in cellenhuis Uitvlugt na onvrede over voeding en bezoekregels
