Brazilian officials investigating corruption charges against guards at a prison in Rio de Janeiro were astounded to discover the facility was being run by the inmates themselves.

The local RJTV station reports the 150 prisoners in the Polinter penitentiary in the northern Baixada Fluminense suburb of the city had keys to their cells and controlled who visited the prison and what magazines were delivered there.

Officials with the state's public ministry uncovered the unusual situation as they probed allegations that municipal police assigned to guard the prison were taking bribes from the inmates.

- AFP