WASCO – On June
26, 2012, approximately 10:02 a.m., a riot involving approximately 80 reception
center inmates erupted on the Facility A yard at Wasco State Prison-Reception
Center. Responding staff used pepper spray,
blast grenades and exact impact munitions to bring the incident under control;
however, the less-lethal munitions did not stop the inmates from rioting and
they ignored staff orders and continued to fight. Officers fired three warning shots from the
Ruger Mini 14 rifle to quell the incident. No inmates were struck by the lethal
rounds.
Two inmates
were transported to local hospitals as a result of injuries they sustained
during their involvement in the riot.
No employees
were injured.
Staff
recovered numerous inmate-made weapons.
Prison officials
are currently assessing the cause of the riot. Reception center inmates were
placed on a modified program as a result of the riot. An investigation is currently ongoing.
WSP-RC’s primary
mission is to provide short-term housing necessary to process, classify, and
evaluate new inmates physically and mentally, and determine their security
level, program requirements and appropriate institutional placement. WSP-RC was opened February 1991, houses
approximately 5,200 inmates and employs approximately 1,700 people.
# # # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2012
Contact:
Lt. R. Mazuka
(661) 758-8400 ext. 5013
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