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Greenfield, MA – The sheriff in Franklin County Massachusetts says a riot at the county jail last week caused at least $250,000 in damages. WAMC's Paul Tuthill reports...
Sheriff Christopher Donelan tells The Recorder of Greenfield the disturbance that started Thursday night was originally intended as a sit-in to protest certain rules and restrictions.
It quickly escalated into widespread vandalism that included the destruction of furniture, a guard station including a computer and other electronics, and a sprinkler that resulted in foot of water.
Guards used stun grenades and tear gas to quell the riot early Friday morning.
The sheriff has identified 14 inmates who were involved in the destruction, most of them from Vermont.
The Greenfield jail accepts out-of-state inmates to help balance the books. The chief of the Vermont Corrections Department has apologized.
Paul Tuthill, WAMC News.
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