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Seven inmates hurt in Calipatria prison riot

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About 200 prisoners were involved in a riot Tuesday at Calapatria State Prison that injured seven inmates, officials of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.

The disturbance at the Imperial County prison began about 10:15 a.m. in the maximum-security Level IL yard at Facility B.

Guards from other parts of the prison rushed to the scene and fired warning shots, rounds of pepper spray and foam-tipped rubber bullets. They quelled the disturbance in about eight minutes, prison spokesman Lt. Everardo Silva said.

After the riot, officers found several inmate-manufactured weapons from the area, he said.

Seven inmates had injuries, none life-threatening. Six were taken to an area hospital for treatment. Most of their injuries were the result of fighting, although one prisoner required stitches for an injury from a rubber round. All have been returned to the prison.

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No employees were injured in the melee.

The cause of the riot is under investigation, and inmate movement has been restricted.

Officials said Calipatria State Prison opened in 1992 and houses about 3,800 inmates, 1,700 of whom are serving life and 594 are serving life without the possibility of parole.

The prison employs 1,280 workers.

bob.pool@latimes.com | @BobsLAtimes

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