Inmates at the infamous Colombian jail where Cassie Sainsbury is held have rioted over the prison’s coronavirus measures.
The convicted Australian drug smuggler is detained at El Buen Pastor women’s prison in Bogota where violence broke out on Saturday.
Guards and inmates brawled over tough measures for prisoners, including less meals and a visitor ban, which prevents the women inside from getting food from outside sources and other hygiene supplies.
A prisoner told The Daily Telegraph guards have beated women inside to restrain them.
Cocaine Cassie Sainsbury (pictured) is detained in El Buen Pastor women’s prison in Bogota where riots have broken out over deteriorating conditions in response to coronavirus
Violence broke out between guards and inmates at El Buen Pastor women’s prison (pictured) on Saturday over tough measures for prisoners including less meals and a visitor ban
‘The protest broke out around 9pm and women starting burning mattresses and blankets and the whole place filled with smoke,’ they said.
There are 231 cases of coronavirus in Colombia and two deaths, with the government closing all airports from Monday in response to the spread of the virus.
Inmates said they were unaware of any cases of the virus in the jail as they had no means of being tested.
‘They won’t let us go to the dispensary. They stop us going anywhere. And to make sure we don’t say anything they tear gas us,’ they said.
‘The virus could be here but we don’t know because they don’t test us or isolate us when we have a fever or a cough, we stay stuck in the cells.’
Many prisoners are struggling through their lack of food while being told they must wash their hands regularly to stop the spread of the virus, though no one has soap in the jail.
Sainsbury was sentenced to six years in prison after being found guilty of trying to smuggle 6kg of cocaine out of Colombia in April 2017.
The 24-year-old was due to begin her parole process last year after serving three-fifths of her sentence, taking into account a seven-month reduction in her sentence for good behaviour.
Cassie Sainsbury was arrested with 5.8 kilograms of cocaine (pictured) concealed in her luggage at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport in April 2017
Sainsbury was engaged to Scott Broadbridge at the time of her conviction, but no longer speaks to her former fiance after they split in February 2018
She could have been freed by April, however a high profile prison break, a food poisoning outbreak and allegations of corruption led to El Buen Pastor’s chief being stood down – delaying her hearings.
At the time of her conviction, she was engaged to 25-year-old Scott Broadbridge, but she admitted the two no longer speak after their split in February 2018.
She became engaged in November after her Venezuelan girlfriend Joli proposed to her behind bars.
‘She stole my heart. We are very happy together and if time allows us, we will be with each other for many years,’ she told New Idea.
The former personal trainer revealed her now fiancee surprised her with a ring and banner reading: ‘Cassie, will you marry me?’ in the corridor of the prison after playing a game of soccer.
Sainsbury became engaged in November after her Venezuelan girlfriend Joli (pictured together) proposed to her behind bars
‘A huge amount of people were watching me! She doesn’t speak English, she was trying to learn English to propose. It was quite cute! I said yes, of course,’ she told the magazine.
Over the last three years, Sainsbury has learned to speak Spanish fluently and now teaches English to inmates in the prison, she said.
The pair plan to tie the knot in the beautiful coastal city of Cartagena some time this year after they are both released.
The romance has been well-documented on social media, with Joli frequently sharing photos of the happy couple on Facebook.
‘Our first Colombian Valentine’s Day together and five months by your side, my princess Rapunzel. Love you Cassie,’ she wrote in one post.
In another Facebook post, she updated her friends of her wedding plans with a status saying: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’m getting married.’
Joli, who is serving time for theft, proposed to the 24-year-old and shared photos of their engagement rings on social media