Uprising at Spring Creek Correctional Center, Alaska

Perilous brings us a new report on a recent prison uprising in Alaska. Follow their site here for a chronicle of prisoner uprisings and resistance.

Approximately 62 prisoners barricaded themselves inside of their housing unit, Hotel Mod, and destroyed prison infrastructure. The Alaska Department of Corrections estimated that the riot caused $100,000 in damage to computer lines, cameras, interior glass, fire suppression systems, and plumbing.

According to corrections spokesperson Sarah Gallager, the prisoners were protesting a newly-introduced 8 a.m. cell inspection.

The uprising lasted roughly 10 hours and required back-up from local law enforcement agencies as well as off-duty corrections officers. Responding officers used OC spray to put down the uprising. According to the prison, no staff or prisoners were injured.

Several corrections officers who spoke with media about the uprising reported being told to keep prison uprisings and protests secret in the past.

One report wrote:

No one was injured in the riot, although several gangs were involved. The gangs were not battling each other but had joined forces to battle the institutional rules, officials said. Because of the sequence of events, officials are sure the riot had been planned.

The prisoners involved have been relocated and some are in solitary confinement. Hotel Mod, or H-Mod houses a general population of prisoners, all whom are serving for serious crimes.

Citations:

“62-inmate Spring Creek prison riot causes $100K in damage“, KTVA, May 8, 2019.

“Dozens of prisoners riot at Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward“, KTUU, May 8, 2019.

“The Latest: Alaska prison riot damage estimated at $100,000“, Associated Press, May 8, 2019.

“Seward residents with ties to Spring Creek Correctional Center say the prison has a mum culture“, KTUU, May 9, 2019.