Inmates at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre are protesting mistreatment with a hunger strike.

Judy Orthner, spokesperson for Corrections, Public Safety and Policing explains that last Friday with a serious incident, which meant there had to be a physical investigation.

When an investigation takes place, the inmates are locked in to maintain security, and not allowed their normal routine.

There are 14 inmates in the unit that was effected by the lockdown.

13 of them started a hunger strike Tuesday morning.

Orthner says as of this morning (Wed), all but five had begun eating again.

The inmates are being watched closely by medical personnel and if the hunger strike goes on for more than 4 days, a doctor will be brought in.

Orthner expects the investigation into last Friday's incident should be done in a few days, and the inmates would then be back to their normal routine.

She adds that they will be looking at the concerns and how to make it easier on inmates when they do this kind of physical investigation.

(ct aug15/12)