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| 10 inmates, deputy hurt in girls prison melee |
| By Palm Beach Post |
| Published: 05/03/2004 |
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Florida's only maximum-security prison for juvenile females was locked down Sunday after a fight between three girls erupted into a full-blown disturbance throughout the facility, police said. Thirty Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies, dressed in riot gear, were dispatched to the Florida Institute for Girls prison in suburban West Palm Beach at 11:57 a.m. Sunday. It's unclear what prompted the incident, which ultimately involved 48 inmates between 13 and 21, said sheriff's spokeswoman Diane Carhart. But the situation was defused and under control about 15 minutes after deputies and fire-rescue units responded, she said. Ten girls were sent to area hospitals with minor injuries. It was unclear whether any were admitted. No one was charged in connection with the incident. One deputy, whose name wasn't released, also was injured. Carhart said charges may be filed. Sunday's incident was one of the largest at the Florida Institute for Girls, a state prison that has been plagued with problems virtually since it opened in 2000. This year, a grand jury faulted the company that runs the prison, Premier Behavioral Solutions, for rampant turnover, poorly trained staff, a pattern of violence, broken bones and sexual misconduct. Premier Behavioral Solutions was fired after the grand jury findings were released. On May 15, Lighthouse Care Centers LLC will take over, earning $21.2 million during the next five years. Workers at the institute said questions about Sunday's incident won't be answered until today. Phone calls to institute directors were not returned. |
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