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| Arizona Jail Disturbance Quelled |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 05/30/2003 |
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Two inmates of the Estrella Jail were taken to local hospitals after a melee in a dormitory wing, said Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The melee happened about 5 p.m. Thursday and involved 130 inmates in the jail's 'E-Wing'. Authorities had revoked visitation privileges because of a fight between two inmates over a doughnut, Arpaio said. That fight sent one of the men to the Maricopa County Medical Center to get stitches in his lip, Arpaio said. 'We told everybody that they had to stay in their bunks. They got mad because they wanted visitation,' Arpaio said. Deputies used pepper balls, pepper spray and other non-lethal measures to bring the wing back under control, Arpaio said. Damage included destroyed bunks, mattresses and other items. Metal pipes were also discovered among the debris. 'We don't know where the pipes came from. We believe they were hidden in the ceiling,' Arpaio said. The two inmates were taken to local hospitals for a breathing problem and chest pain, he said. Arpaio said he intends to file charges against those involved. 'We got the ringleader. We're still investigating. But I will not surrender and I will not let this interfere with my tough policies,' Arpaio said. Arpaio said jail overcrowding and a shortage of deputies contributed to the problem. There are about 130 inmates in the 'E-Wing' which is designed to hold 60 prisoners. The Sheriff's Department is also having a hard time attracting deputies because of pay and other issues, Arpaio said. Because of the ongoing personnel crunch, there was only one deputy - a 19-year-old new hire - on staff in the wing at the time, Arpaio said. |
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