FLORENCE, AZ — Seven people, including one Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) staff member, have been hospitalized after a riot at the Florence West prison.
The Arizona Department of Corrections says the incident started as a fight between inmates at the facility.
ADC says approximately 150 inmates were either involved in the fight or observing it.
Pepper spray and tear gas were used in the response to stop the fight, but no gunshots were fired, according to ADC.
As a result of the fight, one staff member and six inmates were hospitalized. As of Saturday, January 25, the employee was treated and released from the hospital, as were three of the inmates injured in the riot.
Three inmates remain at the hospital.
The fight was stopped by corrections officers from Florence West, but additional ADC corrections officers responded as well to assist.
ADC says Arizona State Prison Florence West is a privately owned facility, which is not connected to the Florence prison.
Florence West is expected to be on lockdown through most of the weekend as ADC investigates.
