Inmates Silent About Uprising At Washington Prison

Inmates who broke windows and started fires at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center were mum Monday about what prompted the disturbance.

Eight inmates were involved in the uprising, which started about 6:45 p.m. Sunday, prison officials said. They broke up mop wringers and mop buckets, started fires and set off the sprinkler system and broke out all the windows of a cell section in a close-custody housing unit.

The prison was placed on lockdown status at 7 p.m.

As corrections officers responded, six inmates returned to their cells. But two continued to beat on doors and windows, breaking telephones, intercoms and plumbing fixtures, and trying to unlock other inmates’ cells, said prison spokeswoman Patricia Woolcock.

They jimmied the doors and tied them shut with sheets, trying to block corrections officers from reaching the area.

At about 9 p.m., corrections officers used stun grenades to enter the barricaded area and quickly subdued the inmates.

“The inmates hit the deck,” Woolcock said. They were cuffed and led away.

No injuries were reported.

Officials were assessing damage Monday, and inmates were interviewed to determine what prompted the disturbance.

“Most of the inmates would not talk and didn’t really indicate what the problems were,” Woolcock said. “We will still seek the investigation on that part.”

The Clallam County sheriff’s department is investigating and will pass reports on to the county prosecutor for consideration of criminal charges.

The area was extensively damaged and nearly 100 inmates not involved in the incident were moved to other cells, Woolcock said.

Some state prison inmates have been unhappy over new rules that cut down on the number of people eligible for overnight visits with their spouses and families. The rules were drafted after a Clallam Bay prisoner stabbed his wife when she visited him in January.

Also, a proposal before the state Legislature would reduce other privileges. Provisions under discussion include mandatory work or classroom time, $3 co-payment for doctor visits and payment for privileges including cable television, recreation and overnight visits with family members.