KLAMATH – On Monday, June 3, at 5 p.m., approximately 40 inmates were involved in a riot at Alder Creek Conservation Camp which resulted in injuries to one staff member and three inmates. The cause of the riot is under investigation.
Multiple orders to stop fighting were given to the inmates by correctional staff. When they did not comply, staff used pepper spray and physical force to quell the incident. Staff called 911 and multiple outside law enforcement agencies responded to assist, including the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Department, the California Highway Patrol, the National Park Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
One CDCR staff member was struck in the head and torso during the incident and was transported to an outside hospital for treatment. He has since been released and is recovering at home. Three inmates were also transported to outside hospitals for minor injuries. All have since been treated and released.
The inmates who initiated the incident have been transported to Pelican Bay State Prison and placed in administrative segregation. The Office of the Inspector General was notified.
Alder Creek Conservation Camp opened in 1961 and is jointly operated by CDCR and CAL FIRE. The primary mission of the camp is to provide inmate firefighting crews for wildland fire suppression activities in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. In addition to fire suppression, inmate hand crews perform conservation and community service projects in the local area. CDCR is responsible for the selection, supervision, care and discipline of the inmates. CALFIRE maintains the camp, supervises the work of inmate fire crews, and is responsible for custody of the inmate while on their daily CALFIRE project activities. Alder Creek Conservation Camp houses approximately 100 minimum-security inmates and employs nine CDCR staff members and 14 CAL FIRE staff members.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2019
Contact: Lt. Charlene Billings
(530) 257-2181 ext. 4110
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