Guards quell incident at state prison

Monday, May 16, 2005 | 11 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Guards used a stun gun and tear gas to quell 15 rebellious gang members at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City Sunday.

Three correctional officers suffered minor injuries in a fight with 15 inmates who had been transferred here from the High Desert State Prison in Clark County because of gang activities.

Prison spokesman Fritz Schlottman said today they were members of the Surenos, a branch of the Mexican Mafia.

Jackie Crawford, director of the state Department of Corrections, said "This incident reflects the hardening of a violent segment of our inmate population and the increased need for staff to supervise that population."

The disturbance started when three officers entered a housing unit after a report of inmates making alcohol. They found the device the inmates were using, but the inmates then jumped the officers and a fight ensued, Schlottman said.

Backup officers were called from surrounding prisons.

One blank shot was fired, one inmate received a shock from a Taser gun and four inmates were sprayed with a chemical. The incident lasted less than an hour, prison officials said.

Schlottman said an investigation is under way and the 15 are expected to be transferred to the high security Ely State Prison.

The three officers who suffered injuries were treated at Carson Tahoe Hospital and released. One officer suffered a broken nose, Schlottman said.

He said the 15 were among the 200 members of the Mexican Mafia that were transferred out of High Desert State Prison to keep them away from black gang members.

Meanwhile the Senate Finance Committee voted 4-3 today to hire an extra 17 guards at High Desert State.

The vote puts the Senate committee in line with the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

Prison officials testified last week they needed the 17 more correctional officers at High Desert near Indian Springs to maintain control.

Schlottman, administrator of offender management for the department, said the prison sprawls over a relatively large area and because of the staffing shortfall, "we can't get people across the yard," if an officer is attacked.

In addition, there are convicts who are more violent being housed at this prison.