Kentucky's Capitol
(2009-11-20)
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Before the riot, the medium security Northpoint Training Center near Danville housed 1,200 inmates. It now houses less than 500 inmates. The rest were sent to other state prisons after the August 21st riot, which left several buildings torched and eight inmates and staff with minor injuries. There were no escapes.
Photo courtesy Kentucky Department of Corrections (Click image to enlarge)
(CLICK ARROW ON BAR ABOVE TO HEAR TONY'S REPORT)
Three days into a lockdown that followed an August 18th prison yard fight, Northpoint officials decided to make permanent, new restrictions on inmate movements. The decision led to a riot that left several buildings torched and eight inmates and staff with minor injuries. That's the findings of a Critical Incident Review Team that investigated the riot, says Justice Secretary Michael Brown.
"It's our belief that that restriction of freedom, what little freedom they have in their own world," said Brown, "was going to be so significantly changed, and in their minds so suddenly changed, that it boiled over."
Brown says there have been complaints about the prison's food, but food was not a primary cause of the riot. Efforts to rebuild the prison continue. The 1,200 inmate facility currently holds 485 inmates. The rest are housed in other state prisons.
(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE MEDIA BRIEFING)
Secretary Brown says around 150 inmates could be punished for their roles in the riot.
At least two prison staff members told legislative panels in Frankfort lousy food contributed to the riot, but Corrections Commissioner LaDonna Thompson says food was not a primary cause. She says there have been complaints about the food at Northpoint, but nothing excessive.
"All the institutions have the same menus that Northpoint had," she told reporters. "We have also received, of course, information that the inmates don't like the food. We're aware that it is not the same food that we serve, when we serve the food ourselves. However, you know, it does meet all the nutritional requirements."
The four-member Critical Incident Review Team that conducted the three-month investigation is comprised of individuals with over 90 years experience in corrections. They interviewed 71 members of the prison staff and 120 inmates. Their report includes 12 recommendations for improvements at Northpoint.
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