Multiple injuries reported at Chicago's Cook County Jail
CHICAGO — At least eight inmates and one correctional officer have been injured in a series of fights in a maximum-security section of a Chicago jail.
Cook County Sheriff’s Office Chief Policy Officer Cara Smith says all of the injured were taken to hospitals after the Tuesday evening fights.
She says the inmates suffered puncture wounds and the correctional officer was injured by a food tray that was used as a weapon.
They were taken from the jail at 26th Street and California to Saint Anthony Hospital with stab wounds that weren’t considered life-threatening, Chicago Fire Department officials said about 8:45 p.m., CBS Chicago reports.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m., the Chicago Fire Department Twitter account said there were multiple injuries.
A Cook County Jail official emailed a statement:
“A number of detainees were injured tonight during fights in Division 9. None of the injuries appear to be serious. A correctional deputy was struck by a food tray thrown during a fight. The deputy is being evaluated, but was not seriously injured.”
“The building is secure.”
Smith says it’s not known if the fights were gang-related. She also says the sources of the weapons are unknown.
Sheriff’s spokeswoman Sophia Ansari told the Chicago Tribune that the injuries weren’t serious.