2 MEXICAN OFFICIALS QUIT IN PRISON SCANDAL
Mexico city

The chief of Mexico city's prison system and the director of a prison where
Powerful drug traffickers turned maximumsecurity cells into comfortable
quarters have resigned over charges that they tolerated corruption and
special privileges.

Mexico City humanrights of. ficials said the resignations were prompted by
a Washington Post article March 23 that described pervasive corruption and
the grand lifestyles of powerful prisoners.
Prisonsystem sources said they expect more resignations and dismissals
within the prison system. Raul Gutierrez, director of the capital's nine
prisons, resigned Tuesday. Yesterda , Saul Moctezuma, director of
Reclusorio Norte Prison, also resigned.

Human rights officials and former Prison officials say problems of
corruption and bribery within prisons and the special privileges granted to
major narcotics traffickers and other high profile inmates is rampant
throughout the country.

A Mexico City Human Rights Commission official Jose Antonio Aguilar said
yesterday that Gutierrez challenged the commission to visit his prison in
order to verify that the post story was untrue. "We found, in fact, that it
was exactly true," Aguilar said, adding that "in addition, the situation
had worsened."

In the prison's maximumsecurity area, the commission found rooms furnished
with large, ornate beds covered in chintz sheets, kitchens stocked with
imported food products, saunas, gyms and " gardens you would only find in
the most luxurious houses in any country in the world," according to
Aguilar.

In most other areas of the prison, the visitors found squalid and
overcrowded conditions.