The police service has stated that a backup team is on standby at Maafushi Prison, on the request of the correctional service.

The media reported that detainees at Maafushi Prison were pepper sprayed during an incident of violence on Monday night, with some reports claiming that pepper spray was used by the police service’s Special Operations officers.

The police service stated that the ongoing operations at the prisons are being conducted by the correctional service but that a police team is on standby.

RaajjeMV has been unable to get a word from the correctional service’s media official.

Tensions between correctional officers and detainees at Maafushi Prison escalated after a prisoner injured an officer during a scuffle a few days ago.