DOC investigating three fights at the penitentiary
By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 5th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Washington State Department of Corrections is investigating three separate incidents where incarcerated individuals engaged in physical altercations last month at the Washington State Penitentiary.
The first incident happened on Wednesday, July 21 at 8:25 p.m. when 28 inmates from Delta Unit were engaged in a fight at the penitentiary’s close-custody recreation yard. Multiple orders were given by the tower officer to stop with no results.
“One warning shot was fired into the approved warning pit due to two individuals assaulting one,” Washington State Penitentiary Public Information Officer Rochelle Stephens said. “After the warning shot, all involved individuals stopped the altercation and moved to the ground.”
Five inmates were transferred to an offsite medical facility for treatment following the July 21 physical altercation and returned to the penitentiary the same day.
The following day, Thursday, July 22, at 12:21 p.m., 39 inmates from Fox Unit engaged in a physical altercation in a small recreation yard, resulting in four inmates being transported to an offsite medical facility for treatment. All four of those were returned to the penitentiary the next day.
Nine days later, on Saturday, July 31 at 9:34 a.m., approximately 53 inmates from Victor Unit, which is a medium-custody unit, were engaged in a physical altercation in the living unit. Five inmates were transported to a local medical facility for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and also returned to the penitentiary the same day.
“Investigations are open and ongoing for all three incidents, so we cannot comment on the potential root causes,” Stephens said. “I can confirm that there have been no reports of staff injuries.”
Stephens said safety is a top priority of the Washington State Department of Corrections, and because of these most recent incidents some close and medium custody units have been placed on restricted movement, to include suspension of visitation until further notice.
