One man is dead after the Arizona State Prison Complex - Yuma was under lockdown Thursday night for a prison disturbance.
According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, 600 inmates were involved. The inmates threw rocks, set fire to mattresses and other property, and broke into the prison health unit.
Officials say inmates in the medium-custody Cheyenne Unit attacked prison personnel around 6:45 p.m. All employees are safe and accounted for.
The disturbance was under control around 9 p.m. with help from the San Luis Police and Yuma County Sheriff's Department.
26 inmates were taken to the hospital, but on Friday, 15 have been released and taken back to the prison. One inmate died from his injuries during the disturbance. The AZ Department of Corrections says Adam J. Coppa's death will be investigated in consultation with the county medical examiner's office.
11 employees has minor, or non-life threatening injuries and were treated at the hospital. All of them have been released, and 10 out of the 11 employees have returned to work on Friday.
Inmates involved in the disturbance are still secured in a fenced recreation enclosure on the yard at the complex. Officials say they are getting necessary provisions and care like meals, water, medication, blankets and access to bathrooms and medical care.
The AZ Department of Corrections says damage caused by inmates happened in housing and other buildings. The damage includes broken windows, sinks, toilets, fire alarms, locks, and flooding and ceiling damage from broken water lines. They say initial clean up and repairs are underway and in the meantime, alternate housing is being assigned for some inmates.
The Department of Corrections will investigate the disturbance and seek additional criminal charges for involved inmates.
Stay with KGUN9 and kgun9.com for more information as it becomes available.
