Melee between officers, inmates forced lockdown of Lee Correctional

BISHOPVILLE, SC (WIS) - Seven officers and two inmates were treated following a "disturbance" at Lee Correctional Institution on Thursday, according to state Corrections Department officials.

Corrections spokeswoman Stephanie Givens said the incident began Thursday just after noon when an officer was searching an inmate. At some point, Givens said, multiple inmates began assaulting multiple officers.

No corrections officers were ever taken hostage during the incident.

The officers were treated and released from medical facilities outside the prison. Givens said two inmates were treated by the prison medical staff.

The State Law Enforcement Division was called to the scene to aid in the incident. Armed law enforcement agents surrounded the prison for several hours.

Lee Correctional is a level three institution designed for inmates to be closely supervised. It houses some of the state's most dangerous inmates.

The prison is no stranger to these types of situations. In 2003, five inmates incarcerated at the facility took two corrections officers hostage for several hours.

This latest incident remains under investigation.

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