Mel Gibson sparks prison protests

Jan 11, 2010, 10:19 GMT

Mel Gibson's new film has caused over 200 prisoners to be moved around Mexico.

The 54-year-old actor sparked protests over his plans to shoot scenes - believed to be for 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation', a movie he has written and stars in - at the Ignacio Allende prison in the eastern state of Veracruz, after 214 inmates had to be sent to at least four other detention centres in the country to accommodate the set.

The prisoners were escorted from the jail - which usually houses 1,000 convicts - by police and soldiers between midnight on Friday (08.01.10) until roughly 3am on Saturday morning (09.01.10).

Despite the early hours, the move resulted in furious scenes of protest from friends and relatives, who claimed they would have to travel further to make their regular visitations to their loved ones.

Those transported during the operation have been held on murder, robbery, drug trafficking, kidnapping and other serious charges.

In 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation', Mel portrays a career criminal caught in Mexico and placed in a tough prison, learning to survive after a nine-year-old boy offers him help.

The film is due for release in 2011.