150 INMATES RIOT AT CORCORAN PRISON'S SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
FACILITY (Headline by Newshawk)

San Joaquin Valley news briefs

CORCORAN, Calif. (AP) -- A riot involving about 150 inmates erupted at
Corcoran State Prison's Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, prison
officials said.

About 300 to 400 inmates were in the exercise yard when something or
someone triggered about half the crowd into fist fights Wednesday morning,
said Manuel Porras, the prison's community resources manager.

No one was seriously hurt. Most of the injuries were minor cuts and
scrapes, he said.

A correctional officer fired one warning shotgun blast and it took the
prison staff about five minutes to quell the conflict, Porras said.

Those inmates involved in the fight will be subject to a routine
disciplinary process, spokeswoman Margot Bach said. The warning shot by a
guard also will be investigated.

The facility, also known as Corcoran II, opened last year to provide
counseling and prevention services to inmates with chronic drug and alcohol
abuse problems. It houses about 1,000 low-to high-level security inmates.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan