‘Tiger Cages' May Go

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32349, 15 July 1970, Page 17

‘Tiger Cages ' May Go

(JV.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SAIGON, July 14.

United States Air Force transport planes had flown about 500 prisoners from controversial Con Son Island prison to Saigon at the request of the South Vietnamese Government, Government officials said today.

At the same time It was reported that the Government was considering demolishing the prison island's "tiger cages ’’ the maximum-security cells which have come under criticism by two United States Congressmen. The 500 prisoners who were flown off the island by United States Air Force Cl3O planes had. served their terms and were awaiting release, an official said. Normally, the Vietnamese Navy returned prisoners to

the mainland, 100 at a time, but for the last few months the Navy had been “too busy” with military operations such as Cambodian incursions, the official said. Because of this, it was said a request was made to United States officials, and the planes began the prisoner lift on Sunday. The prisoners were taken to Saigon’s Chi Hoa prison for processing before release. A South Vietnamese official said the request for United States help in returning the prisoners "bad nothing to do with the criticism of the socalled tiger cages.” He said he did not know if any of the released prisoners had served time in the cages.

There are more than 9000 prisoners on the island, 140 miles south-east of Saigon in the South China Sea. The Government sources, while confirming that abolishing the "tiger cages” was being considered, said that no formal decision had been made.

“The tiger cages were built by the French and they are no longer considered proper for prisoners,” one official source said.