Inmates Start Riot At Sierra Conservation Center

Jamestown, CA — A riot broke out Friday night at the Sierra Conservation Center.

Lt. Kenny Calhoun says it occurred in the medium security Tuolumne Unit. Around 40 prisoners took part.

Calhoun says,The riot involved a code three alarm response, which means all available staff at the prison responded.” He adds that chemical agents and wooden baton rounds were used to stop the fight.

The incident began at 6pm, and ended within about three minutes.

Calhoun says no one on staff was injured, and none of the prisoners were seriously hurt.

Early indication is that the fight was the result of a drug debt. He says the altercation involved African American versus Caucasian prisoners. Approximately 300 inmates, all of which fall into the aforementioned demographic, have been put on lockdown as a result of the incident.

An investigation is ongoing.

Written by BJ Hansen