By Timothy Cole
Stillwater NewsPress
STILLWATER — Cimmarron Correctional Institution in Cushing remains on high alert nearly two months after a large inmate brawl sent 11 to the hospital and put the facility under lockdown.
The inmates received medical attention and have been returned to the Cushing prison.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is waiting on a report from the private prison, which is under contract with the state to house inmates, said Alex Gerszewski, a public information officer with the state agency.
A large brawl between 200-300 inmates happened June 10. The prison staff wasn’t injured, and the general public wasn’t in danger, prison officials said at the time.
The groups involved the brawl are separated and isolated to avoid more fighting and limit communication.
A statement provided by the Cimarron Correctional Facility Quality Assurance Manager Cheryl Shoemaker, said the prison the investigation is ongoing and prison officials aren’t providing additional information about the brawl to the public.
A prepared statement issued by the prison company said the disturbance at the facility started at 4:36 p.m. June 10. Quick response by the staff contained the incident which was resolved by 5:15 p.m.
“To preserve the integrity of ongoing safety protocols and the investigation of the incident, we cannot share additional specifics. Protecting the safety and security of inmates, staff and the community is our top priority,” according to the statement.
Shoemaker went on to say the investigation is still ongoing and any new information would be provided when it becomes available.
The Cimarron Correctional Facility houses a maximum of 1,650 medium and maximum-security inmates.
The Nashville, Tennessee-based company was founded in 1983 and operates 60 detention facilities in 21 states and the District of Columbia, according to the company’s website.