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Video: 300 inmates riot at Australia facility over smoking ban

A riot broke out at a maximum security prison in Melbourne, Australia, after a smoking ban was imposed on the facility

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By Alfred Joyner
International Business Times

MELBOURNE — A riot broke out at a maximum security prison in Melbourne, Australia, after a smoking ban was imposed on the facility, according to reports.

Television footage by Australia’s Seven Network shows huge plumes of smoke sent in to the air as up to 300 rioting inmates burned property at Ravenhall Prison.

Prison staff had to be evacuated as police used tear gas and water canons to disperse the disturbance. In a press conference after the events, Jan Shuard, corrections commissioner for Victoria state, said no staff were harmed in the riot.

Full story: Australia: Smoking ban at Ravenhall Prison sparks massive riot