Oregon State Penitentiary Scene of Multiple Inmate Fight

"During the course of breaking up the fights, two staff received minor injuries requiring first aid. Several inmates received minor injuries requiring first aid..." - Jeanine Hohn, Oregon Department of Corrections

Oregon State Penitentiary Salem-News.com photo by Tim King

(SALEM, Ore.) - Corrections officials say a fight occurred between several inmates in A-block at the Oregon State Penitentiary at approximately 6:00 p.m. July 30th.

Jeanine Hohn with the Oregon Department of Corrections, says staff responded, broke up the fight and secured the involved inmates.

"While the inmates were being escorted out of A block across the Control floor several other inmates coming back from the evening meal began fighting with each other, and the inmates being escorted."

Hohn says a total of 13 inmates were placed in Disciplinary Segregation. This included inmates from both incidents.

"During the course of breaking up the fights, two staff received minor injuries requiring first aid. Several inmates received minor injuries requiring first aid. After the incident, all other inmates were returned to their cells in an orderly fashion."

The institution is currently on a modified schedule according to Hohn, but will return to normal operations by Saturday.

She says that because more than two inmates were involved in the fight, the Oregon State Police are investigating the incident. Institution administrators are also reviewing the incident as well.