Armed inmate takes two guards hostage in French prison: officials

A source later revealed the inmate released one hostage still holding the second - a female trainee

PARIS: An inmate armed with a homemade weapon has taken two guards hostage in a prison in northwestern France during the mealtime for prisoners, officials said on Tuesday.

The incident was ongoing at the Conde-sur-Sarthe Penitentiary Centre which holds dangerous or radicalised prisoners and those with serious disciplinary problems.

The prisoner, armed with an improvised weapon, was holding a guard and a female trainee, said regional prison official Emmanuel Baudin.

A source involved in the incident later said one of the hostages was released.

The inmate was still holding the second hostage, a female trainee, as police special forces arrived by helicopter at the Conde-sur-Sarthe Penitentiary Centre.

A justice ministry source said the inmate has a history of psychiatric problems and hostage taking. He has convictions for robbery, rape and for a murder of a prison cellmate.

Elite units had arrived at the prison by three helicopters, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

The national Prisons Administration Directorate confirmed a hostage situation without giving any further details. It said the justice ministry had alerted its crisis unit.

Security measures were increased  in Conde-sur-Sarthe after a prisoner stabbed two guards with a homemade knife in March. After failed negotiations to end a standoff, security units launched an assault, wounding the prisoner.