June 3, 2019: Three prisoners and one staff member were injured after what the California Department of Corrections called a “riot” at Alder Conservation Camp. While details remain unclear, about 40 prisoners reportedly participated in the disturbance at the camp that houses about 100 minimum security prisoners.
2019
15
May
Uprising at DeKalb County Jail, Georgia
May 15, 2019: During a protest in front of the jail, inmates inside smashed out windows in all three buildings of the facility. Many of the inmates then attempted to communicate through the smashed windows with protesters outside, shouting “help us” and “there is mold.”
07
May
Uprising at Spring Creek Correctional Center, Alaska
May 7, 2019: Approximately 62 prisoners barricaded themselves inside of their housing unit, Hotel Mod, and destroyed prison infrastructure. The Alaska Department of Corrections estimated that the riot caused $100,000 in damage to computer lines, cameras, interior glass, fire suppression systems and plumbing.
06
May
Escape at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center, Colorado
May 6, 2019: Two juvenile detainees tied bed sheets together and used them to climb out of a second story window after being let out of their cells to use the bathroom. The juveniles were missing for several hours before guards noticed their absence.
01
May
Uprising at Bell County Detention Center, Kentucky
May 1, 2019: At least five inmates flooded cells by clogging toilets and shower drains, set off fire alarms, and ripped a TV off the wall. The inmates then allegedly used pieces of the broken television as weapons to threaten officers that came into the cell.
01
May
Disturbance at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center, Colorado
May 1, 2019: At least 8 detainees in the Cedar Lodge housing unit of the state-run treatment facility for juvenile offenders fought guards during a disturbance. The causes and details of the disturbance remain unclear, but 4 juveniles and 10 staff members were injured with 4 staff members being transported to the hospital for treatment.
14
Apr
Escape at Maui Community Correctional Center, Hawaii
April 14, 2019: Two pretrial detainees kicked open a “termite-eaten” door while guards slept and escaped the prison. One of the prisoners, Barret “BJ” Paman, turned himself in to law enforcement later that day, stating that he escaped because the conditions at the prison were so bad. According to his lawyer, Paman, “voluntarily turned himself in as soon as he felt safe,” Parker said.
03
Apr
Fire and Attack on Guards at Marshall County Correctional Facility, Mississippi
April 3, 2019: Prisoners at a private facility in Mississippi attacked a guard and set fire to part of their unit. The guard was airlifted to a hospital as a result.
26
Mar
Coordinated Hunger Strike at Two Wisconsin Prisons
March 26 – April 22, 2019: Nine prisoners at two Wisconsin prisons began a hunger strike demanding an end to indefinite solitary confinement. Their demands cited the recently elected governor’s campaign promises to reform solitary confinement practices. The hunger strike was timed to start on Madison Action Day, an annual prison reform lobby day. Outside supporters also organized a call-in campaign.
25
Mar
Mass Escape at Nash County Detention Center, North Carolina
March 25, 2019: Five inmates identified a camera blind spot and escaped through a hole in the fence on Monday night.
