A South African prison run by British security firm G4S has been accused of torturing inmates with electric shocks and subjecting them to forced injections.
Insiders at Mangaung Correctional Centre, near Bloemfontein, said water was thrown over inmates to increase the impact of the electric charge.
The South African government has temporarily taken over the running of the jail from G4S and launched an investigation.
In a statement, it said G4S had "lost effective control of the facility" following "recent stabbing and hostage incidents".
G4S - which is trying to recover from a series of damaging incidents with the UK government - says it has seen no evidence of abuse by its employees.
The Wits Justice Project - part of the journalism department of the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg - obtained footage showing alleged abuse inside the high security prison.
It collected accounts of electric shocks and beatings from almost 30 prisoners during a year-long investigation.
In one video, the click of electrified shields and shrieking can be heard. It also shows a prisoner resisting a medication.
"Some said they would pass out when the shocks became too intense," said Ruth Hopkins, a journalist with the project.
Prisoners also complained about suffering broken limbs and other serious injuries, she said.
G4S is trying to recover from a series of damaging incidents in the UK A staff member at the prison hospital said inmates were injected with Clopixol Depot, Risperdal, Etomine and Modecate - anti-psychotic drugs that can cause memory loss, muscle rigidity and strokes.
Former inmate Thabo Godfrey Botsane claims he was beaten by security officers because a cell in his unit had been set alight.
"They stripped me naked, poured water over me, electroshocked and kicked me," he said. "They left me naked and bleeding on the floor. A guy from the prison intelligence unit - not a nurse - came back and he injected me in my buttocks."
Former warders Pule Moholo, Dehlazwa Mdi and Themba Tom said they remember the sound of inmates screaming.
"There was a sound-proof room called the 'dark room'. EST members would bring inmates there, strip them naked, pour water over them and electroshock them," Mr Tom said. "We would try not to hear the crying and screaming. It was awful."
A G4S spokesman told Sky News it was investigating the claims.
"G4S staff at Manguang Correctional Services do not have access to medication nor do they administer medication," he said.
"All medical decisions for inmates are handled and addressed by independent certified medical staff, who may diagnose certain conditions, including any possible mental disorders, and prescribe medication in accordance with the relevant condition.
"We cannot verify the video where allegations of torture are made, however, we can confirm that we do not use any form of torture or shock treatment.
"There is an active an independent inspection regime in place at the prison - 365 days per year - and there have never been any allegations or concerns regarding anything of this nature."
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