State Correctional Institution Houtzdale, Houtzdale, Pennsylvania
April 28, 2015
According to charges filed by a Pennsylvania state trooper, a group of prisoners at SCI Houtzdale attacked guards after one guard tried to break up a fight between prisoners in the prison yard. The criminal complaint states that correctional officers intervened in the fight and ordered one of the prisoners to be put in handcuffs. The guards were then allegedly attacked by multiple prisoners while attempting to detain him.
Emergency response teams from multiple prisons were sent in to quell the disturbance and the prison was placed on lockdown. Four guards were injured as a result of the incident and treated at a nearby hospital.
In the aftermath of the disturbance, four prisoners were charged with Aggravated Assault, Assault by Prisoner, Riot, Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct, and Harassment. Three of the four prisoners pled guilty and received sentences ranging from 15 to 70 years. As of April, 2018, the fourth prisoner was still on trial, where his competency was being questioned.
Citations
“Five Guards Hurt at State Prison in Clearfield County”, WITF, April 30, 2015.
“DA Shaw: Three Inmates Charged in SCI Houtzdale Riot”, GANT News, August 14, 2015.
“DA Shaw Announces Inmates Charged in SCI Houtzdale Riot”, Clearfield DA, August 14, 2015.
“Trial Under Way for Inmate Accused in Houtzdale Riot”, GANT News, February 28, 2017.
“Competency of Inmate Allegedly Involved in SCI Houtzdale Riot Being Questioned”, GANT News, April 6, 2018.
This article was originally posted on August 9, 2019.
