(8 May 2012) 1. Tracking shot of exterior of La Planta Prison with smoke from tear gas
2. Various of National Guard soldiers blocking the entrance to prison with barricades
3. Relatives of prisoners gathered outside prison
4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Maria Escobar, relative of prisoner:
"What happens is the prisoners do not want to be transferred to another site, because just imagine, they will get to another prison and they will be killed, so they do not want to be transferred from here."
5. Wide of prisoners' families gathered outside prison
6. Various of soldiers blocking the entrance to prison
STORYLINE:
Gunfire has erupted at a Venezuelan prison, prompting National Guard troops to use tear gas as they sought to take back control from armed inmates, according to officials.
Officials said several shots were fired from inside the La Planta prison in Caracas on Tuesday and clouds of tear gas were seen floating in the air above.
Dozens of troops in anti-riot gear were also seen outside along with hundreds of prisoners' relatives.
Some of the inmates' relatives hurled rocks and other objects at the National Guard troops, who responded by using tear gas.
Firefighters said at least eight people received medical help after inhaling tear gas.
The gunfire eventually died down.
Venezuela's government is trying to close La Planta, following two escape attempts and complaints of overcrowding, saying the facility doesn't meet standards.
Half the prison's inmates have already been transferred to other lockups.
Hundreds of inmates remain in the prison, and some of their relatives have said that a group of armed prisoners has been holding out as they fear for their safety if they are transferred to other crowded lockups, far from their families and the courts hearing their cases.
"What happens is the prisoners do not want to be transferred to another site, because just imagine, they will get to another prison and they will be killed, so they do not want to be transferred from here," said Maria Escobar, whose brother is imprisoned.
Venezuela's prisons are chronically overcrowded and violence is commonplace, with hundreds of prisoners dying each year.
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