Snake River prison locked down after inmate assaults worker

Oregon’s largest state prison was placed in lockdown Saturday after an inmate assaulted a staff member and seven other workers responding to the incident were injured, the state Department of Corrections reported.

Around 10:30 a.m., an SRCI staff member was assaulted by an inmate, Saturday evening’s announcement said.

As a result of the assault, the staff member was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Security staff responded to the assault and seven other staff were taken to the hospital for evaluation and have since been been released.

The inmate has been taken to segregation and the institution has been placed on lockdown. All activities and visiting have been canceled until further notice. The incident is currently under investigation by the Oregon State Police.

SRCI is a multi-custody prison in Ontario that houses about 3,000 male inmates. SRCI has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, intensive management, infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care, and an administrative segregation unit.

SRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including a contact center, laundry, and sign shop. SRCI specializes in incentive housing, specialized housing, inmates with mental health/medical vulnerabilities, education and trades programs, cognitive and parenting programs, and institution work programs.

SRCI opened in 1991 and is the largest correctional institution in the state.