Washington penitentiary fight involves 25-30 inmates; two seriously injured

WALLA WALLA, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state Corrections Department spokeswoman says a fight in a gymnasium at the Washington state penitentiary in Walla Walla involved 25 to 30 inmates.

Spokeswoman Shari Hall says two inmates received "significant injuries" in the Wednesday afternoon fight and were taken to a hospital while others suffered bumps and bruises. She did not immediately know the condition of the two inmates or the exact nature of their injuries. No staffers were hurt.

The cause of the fight during the afternoon recreation period is under investigation.

Hall says two housing units in the West Complex will be on lockdown through the weekend. The West Complex is the prison's second-highest custody level.

The penitentiary houses about 2,500 offenders in minimum, medium, close and maximum custody units. The four close-custody units of the West Complex house about 800 inmates.