Fight in Oregon Prisoner Transport Van Leads to Several Injuries

The names of the inmates involved are Terry Meads, William Cummings, Brandon Burk, Dustin Winkles, Sterling Bond. The name of the prisoner who was attacked is not being released.

The inmates were enroute to the Snake River Correctional Facility in Eastern Oregon. Photo: State of Oregon

(TROUTDALE, Ore.) - Oregon Corrections officials say several inmates who were being transferred between two Oregon prisons this morning attacked a fellow inmate in an Oregon Department of Corrections transport van on I-84 near milepost 13 in Troutdale.

Department of Corrections Spokesperson Perrin Damon says six inmates and two staff members were riding in the transport van. The inmate who was attacked sustained injuries that include a possible broken arm and bruises.

"The inmates were all serving disciplinary sanctions and were part of a routine swap of six inmates from Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem to Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) in Ontario."

She says that as the van traveled down I-84 near Troutdale, at least two inmates attacked and kicked another inmate for reasons that have yet to be determined. "Inmates are restrained during transports using handcuffs and leg irons. The two correctional staff escorts immediately ordered the inmates to stop fighting and called for assistance from the Oregon State Police."

The van pulled over to the side of the highway. Damon says the two corrections officers issued a warning that they would use pepper spray if the inmates did not stop their attack.

"The inmates ignored the warning, so the officers left the van and issued another warning. During transports, inmates are secured discretely from officers and at no time were they outside the secure custody of the officers. The inmates continued their attack so Officer Scott Fink then sprayed the aggressors."

Damon says the inmates continued to ignore the orders and the pepper spray did not have the desired effect.

"Sergeant Tony Broadus unholstered his Taser electronic control device and warned the inmates that the Taser would be used. The inmates immediately stopped fighting and were compliant and cooperative."

An Oregon State Police trooper and officers from Gresham and Fairview Police Departments responded, Damon says they found the situation under control.

"Together the police and correctional officers removed one inmate who had the most serious injuries which appeared to be a broken arm. Under two-officer escort, that inmate is receiving medical attention."

The van with the remaining inmates were transported to an area detention center for temporary custody until additional DOC transport vehicles can return the inmates to prison.

Corrections officials say the prison segregation units are full, that is why the six inmates from Oregon State Penitentiary were being exchanged for six SRCI segregation inmates.

Damon says the transport from SRCI was stopped in eastern Oregon and those inmates will be temporarily housed at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla until the original transport plan is completed.