Pizza peace

last updated 8 January 2015

Tasmania, Australia

A Tasmanian prison uprising ended peacefully this week, after inmates agreed to release a captive prison guard in exchange for pizza. More than a dozen prisoners in the maximum security Risdon Prison in Hobart occupied the prison’s reception area, holding several other prisoners and one guard hostage. The inmates trashed the place, smashing windows and furniture before presenting a list of 24 demands. Most concerned better treatment and improved living conditions. After the standoff had lasted two days, though, they were hungry, and eventually whittled the demands down to one: a delivery of 15 pizzas. The last hostage was released after the last pizza was delivered.