Countywide : Security Tightened After Brawls in Jail
Activities have been slowed and security measures increased this week at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana because of two skirmishes Monday in which prisoners fought on a bus and in a cell.
Sheriff’s Lt. Dan Martini said routine security-tightening procedures--such as limiting the number of prisoners allowed in the cafeteria, on the roof for recreation or in substance abuse counseling sessions at any one time--remained in place Thursday.
“It’s not a lock-down,” Martini said.
In separate incidents Monday, groups of prisoners tangled and had to be restrained by guards.
The first fight began about 3:50 p.m. on a bus from Municipal Court in Fullerton and was ultimately stopped when jail personnel used pepper spray. About 7 p.m., a group of about 40 prisoners were fighting in a cell until deputies separated them.
Thirteen prisoners were treated for minor injuries in the second fight.
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