Several inmates indentified as ‘leaders’ in lockdown incident at ACI

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Corrections announced that its identified several inmates at the Adult Correctional Institution as being leaders in an incident that caused the facility to be locked down.

Authorities said several other inmates were also identified as having assaulted correctional staff during the incident. Those involved will face internal discipline while other will be charged criminally for their involvement.

On Friday evening, the DOC said a fight broke out in the Maximum Security facility at the ACI, prompting a lockdown. Department staff responded immediately and were assisted by emergency personnel who did not enter the prison at any time, according to the DOC.

Officials said several dozens of inmates refused to return from the secure yard back inside the Maximum Security facility, forcing Correctional Officers to engage with them. All inmates were later accounted for and officers eventually able to get them all back into the facility without further incident.

The ACI has since resumed modified operations in its Maximum Security facility.