SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Authorities responded to a riot Friday night at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in Otay Mesa that left five people injured, including at least one with serious injuries.
Cal Fire San Diego said about 100 inmates were in the prison yard when a fight broke out around 8 p.m. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Saturday that number was closer to 80 inmates.
CDCR said officers gave multiple orders to stop fighting, before using several rounds of less-than-lethal force to stop the incident.
Four inmate-made weapons were recovered, CDCR said.
Five inmates were injured and had to be transported outside the prison for treatment, for injuries including puncture wounds, cuts, and bruises to the head, neck, and torso areas, CDCR says. Cal Fire had previously reported that six inmates were transferred from the scene.
One of those inmates suffering from puncture wounds was in critical condition. Three inmates were in fair condition and the fifth was treated and returned to prison, CDCR said.
No prison staff members were injured.
The facility canceled visitation for Facility A Saturday and Sunday in light of the riot.
.@CALFIRESANDIEGO is at scene of Donovan Prison for an event involving multiple patients. Significant augmentation of resources. #DonovanIC
— CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) August 24, 2019
Friday night's melee was just the latest in a string of recent prison fights at the prison facility. Last February, a fight between 50 inmates broke out, injuring at least 10 prisoners. Officers had to use pepper spray to gain control of the situation.
In April, three inmates suffered stab wounds in a seven-on-one fight at the facility as well.
