ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, June 24, 1996 TAG: 9606240085
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: POWHATAN
SOURCE: Associated Press
A Powhatan Correctional Center guard fired rubber pellets at three inmates who were beating another prisoner, marking the first use of that type of weapon in a Virginia prison.
``They were probably under the assumption it was just going to be tear gas,'' said Department of Corrections spokesman David Botkins. ``They were taken by surprise and immediately stopped.''
In the past, Virginia prison guards had only tear gas grenades loaded into 37mm launchers. They were carried by officers stationed atop walls or on the perimeter.
Six months ago, officers at Powhatan were given a special type of shell, called a ``stinger,'' to fire from the launchers. Inside the stinger shells are 40 1/4-inch compressed rubber pellets.
The weapons are used in prisons in other states - including Nevada, where Department of Corrections Director Ron Angelone worked before coming to Virginia in 1994.
Though prisoners elsewhere have complained that such weapons are cruel, Botkins said the ``weapons are not used to intimidate inmates. They are used to protect those trying to do their time'' peacefully.
``This officer did exactly as he was trained, and it apparently saved this inmate's life,'' said Botkins.
Authorities said the incident took place about 11 a.m. Friday in the exercise yard of M Building, where troublemaking inmates often are held.
Botkins said an officer on the wall surrounding the exercise area saw one inmate fleeing from three others. The officer radioed for help and yelled at the inmates to stop, he said.
The three pursuers caught up with the other inmate and had him on the ground, kicking him, when the officer fired one stinger round and hit all four, Botkins said. They were stung but not injured, he said.
``Immediately, the inmates backed off and [the officer] ordered them to lay on the ground. One inmate actually said, `Please don't shoot again,''' Botkins said.
LENGTH: Short : 47 linesby CNB