17 Injured After Fights Erupt Among Inmates at Pitchess Jail

Seventeen inmates were injured in three separate fights among 400 prisoners at the Pitchess jail Monday and Tuesday, authorities said.

The fights erupted between black and Latino inmates in a 14-hour period between 7:30 p.m. Monday and 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday inside minimum and medium-security barracks at the Peter J. Pitchess Honor Rancho, said Deputy George DuCoulombier of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies quelled the first disturbance of about 40 to 50 prisoners “very quickly” by using pepper spray and verbal commands, he said.

Six inmates were treated for minor injuries at the jail’s clinic, authorities said. One was taken to County-USC Medical Center for stitches, although he was not seriously injured.

The second brawl began at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday among 150 inmates in three barracks, DuCoulombier said. Deputies controlled that fight within 15 minutes. Four men were treated for minor injuries at the jail clinic.

A third brawl erupted about two hours later when 200 inmates attacked each other with broomstick handles and soap and rock-filled socks, DuCoulombier said. The inmates fought for 20 minutes before deputies fired pepper spray to stop the fighting, DuCoulombier said.

It was the latest in a series of brawls that have broken out at the jail in recent years.

The causes of all fights remain under investigation, DuCoulombier said.