Apr 15, 2006 7:33 pm US/Central
Jail Fight Breaks Out Between Inmates, Guards
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Several inmates were injured Saturday in a fight that broke out at the Cook County Jail, apparently after an inmate tried to strike a correctional sergeant.
Shortly after 4 p.m., correctional officers in a tier of Division 11, one of the maximum security divisions of the jail, were moving inmates to an outdoor recreational area, county sheriff's office spokeswoman Sally Daly said.
Correctional officers move the inmates in groups of five and pat them down for security purposes as they go outside, Daly said.
As one of the groups was being moved, an inmate identified as Demetrius Thomas was searched and ordered to the recreational area, Daly said. He refused to go, and turned to try and hit the sergeant who was moving the inmates, Daly said.
The sergeant put up his arms to defend himself and a fight ensued between Thomas and the sergeant, Daly said. Four other inmates joined the fight, along with three other correctional officers, but after a few minutes, the inmates were subdued and handcuffed, Daly said.
A total of four inmates were taken to outside hospitals, Daly said.
Three men suffered beatings and another was complaining of chest pains, Fire Department Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said. Three inmates were taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital and a fourth was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Langford said.
Daly said man who complained of chest pains was not involved in the fight. The other inmates who were involved in the fight were treated at the scene, Daly said.
Four correctional officers were sent to Cermak Health Services, the medical facility at the jail, for evaluation, Daly said.
The injuries were described as bruises and contusions and were not considered life-threatening.
Thomas has been held at the jail since Sept. 7, 2005, on charges of armed robbery and unlawful use of a weapon, Daly said.
There was no word early Saturday evening on what additional charges the inmates might face.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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