Brazilian security forces claim they have quelled co-ordinated riots in which at least 16 people were killed in 29 prisons in the most widespread revolt in Brazil's packed jails.
Armed troops in body armour swept through Latin America's biggest prison, Carandiru, in what appeared to be a negotiated end to the bloody 25-hour wave of riots across Sao Paulo state - Brazil's wealthiest and most populous.
The president of the human rights commission in the state assembly Mr Renato Simoessais said: "The rebellion is over but we won't know with any certainty in what conditions or how many deaths until we finish the search."
The last of more than 7,000 hostages held by prisoners have been released, officials said.
Negotiators said earlier they had convinced the police to allow independent observers to stay inside the 11 prisons still held by inmates to supervise the transfer of power, and to prevent clashes between armed police and inmates.
The uprisings broke out at midday on Sunday when some 20,000 rioting inmates took relatives, friends and prison guards hostage during visiting hours. By yesterday afternoon 29 prisons had joined the rebellion.
At least 16 inmates were killed. One prisoner who was found with stab wounds and strangulation marks in a rubbish bin inside Carandiru yesterday.
The riot was reportedly organised by a prison gang called the First Commando of the Capital to protest against the transfer of its leaders from Carandiru to other Sao Paulo prisons.
The transfers were ordered after five inmates were murdered last week - allegedly on the orders of the PCC.
Human rights activists say severe overcrowding and torture fuelled the riots and helped the gang rally supporters. Brazil's jails hold 230,000 inmates and there are frequent riots.