Inmate reaction to lockdown at Cranston ACI led to heavy response

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The lockdown and large emergency response at Cranston’s Adult Correctional Institution was caused by inmates’ response to a fight and an injured officer.

Rhode Island Department of Corrections Chief Public Affairs Officer Ryan Crowley said that the response occurred after an officer suffered minor injuries while responding to a fight between two inmates.

He said that none of the emergency personnel outside the facility entered it at any time.

Crowley said that “several dozen” inmates refused to return from the secure yard to the inside the facility.

He added that correctional officers “deescalated the situation by engaging with the inmates who refused to return” to the yard.

Crowley said that the inmates eventually voluntarily returned to the inside of the facility.

The injured officer was treated on-site before getting treatment elsewhere and being released.

Crowley said the incident is still under investigation.