PENNINGTON GAP, Va. – The Federal Bureau of Prisons is investigating fights at a prison in Virginia that injured eight inmates and one staffer.
U.S. Penitentiary, Lee spokesman Mark Ryan says multiple altercations involving inmates occurred around 6:20 p.m. Wednesday at the prison in Pennington Gap.
Ryan said Thursday in a news release that the situation was contained by prison staff.
He says eight inmates were taken to a hospital outside the prison for treatment of injuries. One staffer suffered a minor injury.
Wellmont Health System spokesman Jim Wozniak says six patients from the prison remained hospitalized Thursday at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tennessee. All are in fair condition.
Wozniak says the injuries included stab wounds, broken teeth and lacerations.
About 1,570 high-security male inmates are housed at the prison.
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