Prisoners in several Ecuadorean jails have taken 178 prison officers hostage, during violent clashes between criminal gangs and state security forces. A total of 158 prison guards and 20 administrative staff in seven prisons are being held by mutinous prisoners, the prison authorities announced on Thursday. Criminal gangs had recently fought fierce battles in the South American country’s prisons and seized control of numerous warders. According to the prison administration, the head of the powerful gang “Los Choneros,” Adolfo Macías alias “Fito,” and the leader of the gang “Los Lobos,” Fabrici…