Inmates, Corrections Officers Injured During Suspected Gang Fight at OSCI

(SALEM) - During the evening meal Saturday at Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem, approximately 30 inmates began fighting with one another in the prison dining room.

Staff immediately took steps to quell the disturbance, resulting in minor injuries to three correctional officers.

Oregon Department of Corrections spokeswomen Perrin Damon says the motive for the fight is under investigation, but the involved inmates are believed to represent two rival Hispanic gangs.

Those involved will be held accountable through the prison disciplinary system; the Oregon State Police are investigating to determine if criminal activity occurred Damon said.

According to the prison's superintendent, Nancy Howton, "the quick thinking of staff kept injuries and property damage to a minimum."

The prison is on lockdown, and staff were recalled to enhance security and prepare sack dinners and deliver them to inmates in their cells.

Oregon State Correctional Institution is a men's medium-security facility with 885 inmates.

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pedro coronel February 22, 2007 11:22 am (Pacific time)

That's nothing new that has ever happened. But if they fight it's because they get into other peoples bussiness. And i believe that us mexican shouldn't be sent back since thanks to us our country is growing, and we are the ones doing the jobs for the americans, while they are just working in simple things.

King January 23, 2007 8:49 am (Pacific time)

Funny, I don't remember 'Barnes' being a native american name. Must be another invader to send back...

Abe January 21, 2007 7:53 pm (Pacific time)

Thank for telling us about the Hispanic Gang involvement the other news people have seemed to omit, for whatever reason. And, they do have their reasons.

Marylee Barnes January 21, 2007 12:47 pm (Pacific time)

There are too many gang members in this State and something needs to be done. Most of them are illegal and they have gangs where they come from and so they feel it is ok to have them here. We need to ship them all back home and then maybe we could have our State back to the way it was before they invaded our country.

L.A. January 21, 2007 5:59 am (Pacific time)

This sounds like the cafeteria of my old high school. It was just like a prison.

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