An inmate’s complaint about funky-tasting vegetables caused a riot at the Baxter County Detention Center earlier this month.
The incident began about 4:45 p.m. September 7 when an inmate made the complaint. As members of the jail staff made efforts to verify what the inmate had said, he became even more disruptive by kicking his cell door again and again.
According to an incident report, as jail staff formulated a plan to deal with the situation, it became more widespread as inmates in another pod began throwing water under the doors of their cells.
At one point, the landing outside both E and F pods were flooded, causing water to flow into other areas.
The water supply to the jail was shut off to prevent additional flooding.
Additional sheriff’s deputies were called to the jail to assist in quelling the disturbance. They were joined by troopers from the Arkansas State Police and officers from the Mountain Home Police Department.
Inmates were reported to have become angrier when told the vegetable report was being checked but the investigation had not been completed.
A scoop of canned mixed vegetables is included on an inmate’s dinner tray throughout the year, according to the sheriffs office.
A deputy trained in the use of a less-than-lethal shotgun came to the jail and handcuffs were gathered.
The weapon is utilized in riot and crowd control situations. It can fire less-than-lethal rounds up to a distance of 25 yards.
As officers entered F Pod everyone was ordered to hit the floor. The inmates were handcuffed and led to another area in the jail.
The same procedure was used to control the inmates in E Pod.
After the inmates were removed, a shake down of both pods involved in the incident was conducted to search for any items not jail issued.
Five inmates, all in their 20s and identified as instigators of the riot, were locked down in other areas of the jail.
No additional charges have been filed against the inmates involved.
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