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February 26, 2009 in Region
30 gang members fight at Walla Walla prison
WALLA WALLA — Thirty prisoners fought each other at the Washington state Penitentiary’s new West Complex for gang members.
The prison says the 23 who fought Wednesday and seven who were indirectly involved are all members of the Norteno and Sureno gangs, Hispanic gangs from California.
Guards broke up the fight in two minutes, and three had minor injuries. No inmates were seriously injured.
The 30 have been segregated while the Department of Corrections and Walla Walla police investigate.
Superintendent Steve Sinclair says the fight broke out when offenders who don’t normally have contact with each other were being moved.
The Corrections Department sends gang members from other prisons to Walla Walla for special management.
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hearts_lovely on March 05 at 11:03 a.m.
I am amazed by the lack of security in this prison for something like this to happen. I am informed very well about the incident, and how it occur, 7 inmates where getting out of their school class they have Mon.- Fri when “accidently” a officer aware of the gang situation on that unit, opens a gate, where about 27 rival gang inmates are, and that is how it all started. It is sad how inmates there try change and better themselves by joining programs and going to school but yet the system does’nt give them the chance.