ECSO Reports Group of Inmates Who Refused to Lock Into Their Housing Cells.

Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports that a group of inmates in a housing area at the Erie County Correctional Facility who refused to lock into their housing cells have complied with staff orders.

Following the evening meal, approximately thirty-eight inmates refused to comply with required lock-in orders. Deputies and Corrections Officers responded to the housing unit, but inmates had barricaded entry doors.

Throughout the evening, Erie County Correctional Facility Staff ordered the inmates to lock into their housing units.

At approximately 9:50 p.m., the inmates complied with the orders and locked into their units.

The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. The inmates face administrative disciplinary charges as well as criminal charges.

Timeline:

· 5:00 p.m. – evening meal;

· 5:30 p.m. – mandatory lock-in;

· 6:00 p.m. – the facility’s Quick Entry Team was assembled;

· 6:20 p.m. – Chief of Operations ordered the inmates to lock in;

· 9:40 p.m. – inmates began complying with the lock-in order;

· 9:50 p.m. – all inmates complied and locked into the housing cell without the use of force.

Additional Information:

· 42 inmates in the housing area;

· The Sheriff, Undersheriff, Jail Management Superintendent and additional command staff members responded to the scene;

· Additional medical staff was called to the correctional facility to evaluate the inmates;

· No officers or inmates were injured;

· The housing unit sustained property damage;

· Sheriff’s Bureau of Investigations is leading the investigation into the incident;

· The New York COC received a preliminary notification.