Inmates at a prison in Brazil's remote Amazon jungle were holding more than 200 people hostage, and authorities said Tuesday an agreement had been reached to return an inmate leader who had been transferred.

Armed with makeshift knives, the inmates began their uprising during visiting hours Sunday at the Urso Branco State Prison in the state capital, Porto Velho, some 1,500 miles northwest of Sao Paulo.

Renato Eduardo de Souza, head of the state's public safety department, said by telephone Tuesday that 190 women and 17 men _ all relatives of the inmates _ are being held hostage. According to de Souza, the inmates said they would release the relatives after one of their leaders, who had been transferred to another facility last week, was returned to Urso Branco.

De Souza said that demand would be met.In past prison riots, relatives have refused to leave, believing their presence would protect the inmates from police.

De Souza said most of approximately 1,200 inmates at Urso Branco were taking part in the rebellion. The prison was built to hold 350 inmates.