Investigation underway after inmate, 8 officers injured in Blythe prison fight
An investigation was underway today after an inmate and eight officers were injured at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe during a fight involving at least 200 people earlier this week.
The prison's Investigative Services Unit were escorting an inmate at around 10 a.m. Wednesday as part of a contraband investigation, according to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson Alia Cruz. The inmate subsequently head-butted a prison staff member while being escorted across the yard and was immediately subdued.
"At the same time, approximately 200 incarcerated people on the yard rushed toward the officers attacking them with fists and rocks,'' Cruz wrote in a statement. "Staff issued multiple orders to stop. When they did not comply, staff deployed a warning round from a Ruger Mini-14 rifle, chemical agents and non-lethal impact rounds to stop the incident."
Ultimately, eight staff members and one inmate were injured and taken to outside medical facilities, according to Cruz. They have all since been treated and released.
A total of 30 inmates were suspected of being directly involved in the incident, Cruz said. The Office of the Inspector General was notified about the incident.
As the investigation continued Friday, the prison's Facility D remained on modified programming, while the rest of the institution returned to normal programming, according to Cruz. All prisons statewide were placed on modified programming Wednesday for 24 hours as a threat assessment, which ended Thursday, was conducted.
"An institution in modified programming experiences the suspension of some, but not all, activities and/or movement,'' Cruz wrote. "Modified programming will last no longer than necessary to restore institutional safety and security or to investigate the triggering event."
No other information was available as the investigation continued.
