VIDEO: Mass. Dept. of Corrections releases video of prison riot

SHIRLEY, Mass. — Video released by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections shows a prison riot, during which officials say inmates were 'getting ready for war.'

Secretary of Public Safety Daniel Bennett says the incident began with a fight Monday between two inmates at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center and quickly escalated when 47 inmates refused orders to return to their cells.

The video, which was blurred to hide the identity of the inmates, pending the completion of the investigation, shows inmates destroying parts of the prison unit and making weapons.

Inmates are shown ripping table legs off, beating in doors and destroying office equipment to make weapons from the parts.

Many inmates have covers over their heads and faces while they roam around the unit destroying parts of it.

Officials say the security video shows inmates - including some serving life sentences for murder - smashing furniture, computers and fire extinguishers to fashion makeshift knives and other weapons. He says they intended to attack corrections officers.

MORE: Photos show massive destruction after Massachusetts prison riot

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