Sheriff says accident that led to evacuation of about 300 inmates is being investigated.
By Cathy Kightlinger, The Indianapolis Star
Things returned to normal at the Hamilton County Jail on Friday after a pepper spray accident forced an evacuation of about 300 inmates.
There were no serious injuries. The mishap occurred about 7:30 p.m. Thursday when a pepper spray canister was mistaken for a training tool, said Sheriff Doug Carter.
The chemical agent was dispersed in the jail’s library when a pin was pulled from a canister about a quarter of the size of a spray paint can, Carter said.
From there, the substance traveled throughout the jail’s air-handling system into areas where inmates, officers and other employees were.
About 300 inmates, seven correction officers, six dispatchers and two deputies were in the jail, said sheriff’s Maj. Mark Bowen.
The spray is an irritant and is not dangerous as long as people get out of confined areas where it is discharged, Carter said.
No one was taken to the hospital, but some jail employees and inmates complained of discomfort, he said.
“Rest assured that we will get to the bottom of that,” Carter said. “There certainly is a policy we need to address, and we will.”
The accident happened during an impromptu training exercise with a new correctional officer.
During the evacuation, most inmates were placed in the former jail, which is next to the current one, Bowen said.
Some off-duty deputies were called in to help, as were police from other departments in the county and the Indiana State Police.
Dispatching for the Sheriff’s Department was transferred temporarily to the Noblesville Police Department.
Contractors will be brought in to inspect the jail’s air-handling system and determine if there is a way to prevent a similar incident, Bowen said.
“It was an isolated incident, and it ended up affecting the entire facility.”
To remove the substance from the jail, authorities opened doors and windows and used fans, Bowen said.
Inmates were returned to the jail, and it was operating normally about 3 a.m.
The accident gave authorities a chance to test the county’s emergency planning, Carter said.
“It worked very well.”
An investigation continues. Training with pepper spray has been suspended for now, Bowen said.
He would not speculate on the possibility of disciplinary action against any employees until the investigation is finished.
“We are still looking into it.”