HOUTZDALE – Superintendent Kenneth R. Cameron reports that at approximately 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, there was an incident in the yard at State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale during which five staff members were injured.
At this time, staff members are locking the institution down and additional staff members are responding from nearby institutions.
According to the press release from the Department of Corrections, the incident began this afternoon during an outside recreational session in the prison yard, when a group of inmates refused to return to their housing units.
The recreational area is a separate area within the fenced-in perimeter of the prison. The incident is contained to the recreational yard and there is no danger to the public.
Institution security staff members are investigating the incident and updates will be provided as additional information is available for release.