L.A. Jail Brawl at Twin Towers Facility Leaves Four Injured

At least 62 inmates have been involved in a melee at Los Angeles County's Twin Towers Jail on Tuesday, April 2.

A report by the Los Angeles Times mentions that four prisoners have been injured during the fight, and law enforcement officials describe that they have only suffered minor bruising and cuts.

Jail authorities note that the exact number of participants has not been counted, as many have escaped after an intervention by the guards.

“We cannot say how many of the inmates were exactly involved, but 62 were in the area at the time,” says sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

At 12:10 p.m., the brawl broke out in Tower 1, in a relaxation facility on the third floor. The incident has been prompted by racial tensions among Hispanic and black prisoners.

Deputies used sting balls and gas to put an end to the situation in about 90 seconds. According to the Inquisitr, the clash is currently being investigated but police have not pressed any charges as of yet.

While the Twin Towers facility has been free from massive brawls until now, the Los Angeles Prison system is no stranger to such events.

With 18,000 to 19,000 new prisoners jailed every day, the county's prisons are crowded and well-equipped. Violent incidents involving a large number of inmates are often reported at the Pitchess jail in Castaic.

“This is something that does occur throughout our jail system from time to time. [...] People in our jails are under a lot of tension … and it does regrettably happen,” Whitmore has stated.

In Tucson, 400 people were involved in a clash at Arizona State Prison Complex this March. As reported, the altercation included a majority of Caucasian and Mexican-American inmates. African-American prisoners made up a quarter of those involved.