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A fight broke out at the Maguire Correctional Facility around 10:45 a.m. Friday that required correctional officers to deploy less-lethal options and that left six inmates hospitalized, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
The fight broke out between inmates in a housing unit at the jail during recreation time and the facility was immediately placed on lockdown, according to a press release from the the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office estimates that 30 inmates were involved. Four Sheriff’s Office personnel sustained minor injuries during the fight. One correctional officer was hospitalized, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association said in a statement.
Of the six inmates who were hospitalized, three have returned from the hospital as of 4:20 p.m. and the rest are in stable condition.
The cause of the fight is still under investigation but the Sheriff’s Office said there is no threat to the public and the jail remained secure throughout the incident.
“I’m grateful to the Sheriff’s Office personnel who acted swiftly to stop the fight and ensure the safety of the correctional facility and everyone inside of the facility,” Sheriff Christina Corpus said in a press release. “Their actions undoubtedly prevented more serious injuries and ensured the situation was quickly under control.”
However, the Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants claims that chronic understaffing has made San Mateo County correctional facilities unsafe for personal and inmates. Previously, sergeants have been able to work overtime and fill in for deputies to help ease with staffing challenge until the Sheriff’s Office ended the practice on Aug. 12, according to the union.
The union claims that there is a shortage of deputies since many have been newly hired, leading to some deputies being forced to work overtime.
Within eight days of sergeants no longer being able to fill in for deputies, the sergeants’ union claims approximately 179 shifts in the jail went partially staffed or unstaffed.
Corpus responded to the union and claimed that financial challenges and staffing increases made overtime by sergeants no longer necessary. Corpus said on Sept. 8 that no staff member had been required to cover a shift due to under staffing since many trainees are now able to provide staffing coverage.
The union disagrees.
“Our cease and desist letter to Sheriff Christina Corpus made clear that her decision to reduce staffing flexibility and force exhausted deputies into unsafe conditions would endanger lives,” the sergeants’ union said in a press release.
The Maguire Correction Facility located in Redwood City is the county’s largest jail and has struggled with maintenance issues in recent months.
Since late June, in-person inmate visitation has been suspended at the jail due to an elevator breaking down, as first reported by this news organization. The county says it has made several attempts to fix the elevator, to no resolve. The Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office is scheduled to receive a timeline on repairs on Oct. 1. On Aug. 13, a ceiling light in the lobby of Maguire spontaneously burst into sparks.
There have also been several deaths in county jails.
The Sheriff’s Office did not say if any of these contributed to the fight that broke out Friday.
Once the investigation into the incident is complete, the case will be forwarded to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether any charges are appropriate.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with information from the Organization of Sheriff Sergeants.
