HAMILTON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida Department of Corrections says there was no "riot" reported at the Hamilton County Correctional Facility.
FDC posted an update on Twitter Friday afternoon:
There was no “riot” at Hamilton Correctional Institution Annex. The earlier incident is over, and everything is completely under control.
— FL Dept. Corrections (@FL_Corrections) September 7, 2018
Michelle Glady, the Director of Communications for the Florida Department of Corrections, sent a statement to WTXL that explains there were around 100 inmates on the recreation field when some inmates started "acting out and became non-compliant":
"During outside recreation, there were approximately 100 inmates on the recreation field when a number of inmates began acting out and became noncompliant. Institutional response teams immediately responded, and due to their swift and methodical approach, the situation was brought under control with no injuries to staff or inmates. Outside law enforcement responded in an abundance of caution to secure the perimeter and never entered the secure facility."
Glady says teams immediately responded and quickly got the situation under control. She said no staff or inmates were injured.
"There is absolutely no indication that this incident occurred as a result of any national movement or organization," Glady wrote.
Hamilton County Superintendent Rex Mitchell confirmed that they heightened security at the schools, though none of the schools were placed on lockdown. He issued the following statement to WTXL:
"Throughout the day, the school board was updated to any changing conditions regarding the incident at the prison. There was never any kind of breach, therefore there was never an immediate threat to any of our schools. However, we did take precautionary measures and did heighten security a bit. We remained alert, and followed every protocol and proper procedure. At no point were any of our schools on lockdown."
HAMILTON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Authorities from across North Florida are currently responding to the Hamilton County Correctional Facility for a "riot situation."
According to city sources, prisoners at the Hamilton County Correctional Facility have started a riot in an attempt to take over the annex rec yard.
First Coast News reports that authorities are coming in from as far as Jacksonville to assist. News4Jax learned that about 25 troopers froom Lake City and 25 more from Jacksonville were sent to the state prison just outside Jasper.
Hamilton High School confirmed they are not on lock down despite the riot.
The Florida Department of Corrections says they are, "aware of active incident and are continuing to gather info on what is happening there."
They say they will provide updates when information becomes available. It is unknown if any inmates or correctional officers have been injured.
WTXL is working to get more details.
