As many as 200 inmates at a Washington state prison staged an uprising Thursday after officials announced six prisoners had tested positive for the coronavirus, according to news reports, citing the Washington Department of Corrections.
Officials at the Monroe Correctional Complex northeast of Seattle said there were no reports of violence or injuries to inmates and guards, although about half the inmates involved refused to follow officers’ commands, reports said.
Credit: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File
Credit: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File
The six inmates diagnosed with COVID-19 "are isolated from general population & receiving clinical monitoring & supportive care from a health care team," the department said in a statement, according to CNN.
The melee broke out in the recreation yard of a low-security wing of the lockup, according to Newsweek.
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The incident began around 6 p.m. Wednesday and appeared to have ended by 8:45 p.m.
Prisoners reportedly set off fire extinguishers, but only threatened to light fires and “take prison guards,” according to officials.
Police immediately surrounded the perimeter outside the prison gates as prison staff used pepper spray, sting balls and rubber pellets to get inmates to comply, the state Department of Corrections said, according to Newsweek.
The motive behind the revolt was not immediately clear, CNN reported.
Reports say both housing units of the prison were fully evacuated after order was restored.
Credit: Social media photo
Credit: Social media photo
Images of the prison from Wednesday were circulating online and show dozens of inmates sitting on the grounds outdoors as guards stood watch.
The complex houses approximately 450 male inmates, according to Newsweek.
The corrections department is conducting an internal investigation.
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