AT least 25 have been killed in a bloody prison riot that saw inmates beheaded and burned alive.
Dozens more were seriously wounded after violence broke out during visiting hour at the jail in north Brazil.
visitors to the prison were taken hostage by weapon-wielding inmates before security services ended the siege.
The grisly nature of the incident emerged as police entered the overcrowded prison, with seven people confirmed to have been beheaded while six had been burned alive.
Authorities believe the violence was sparked following an ongoing feud between two gangs in the prison.