Baghdad , Iraq ( CNN ) -- At least two prisoners were killed and 14 people wounded Sunday when a riot erupted at a Tikrit , Iraq , prison , police officials in Tikrit said . The wounded included seven prison guards and seven inmates , authorities said . The riot erupted about 3 p.m. Sunday ( 8 a.m . ET ) at the central prison for Salaheddin province , police officials said . Prisoners set fires in cells that hold hundreds of inmates , police said . They said the instigators were from insurgent groups such as al Qaeda , who were planning to escape after creating chaos in the facility . However , two prisoners -- speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation -- told CNN that the inmates set the fires to protest against ill treatment , poor conditions inside the prison and also against corruption . The families of many prisoners are forced to pay prison officers and guards each month so their relatives will receive better treatment , they alleged . Attempts by CNN to contact police officials in Tikrit to comment on the inmates ' allegations were unsuccessful Sunday night . Corruption is one reason behind widespread protests in recent months in Iraq , part of a larger wave of unrest sweeping the Middle East . Other reasons include unemployment , poor basic services and a lack of freedom . In late February , Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki gave government ministers 100 days to deliver results and eliminate corruption or be fired . Tikrit is about 160 kilometers ( 99 miles ) north of Baghdad .
The wounded include guards and inmates , police said . The riot occurred at the main prison for Salaheddin province . Prisoners say they were protesting bad treatment and corruption .