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Incident at Clinton Correctional Facility

A corrections officer in a tower overlooking the inside of Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora holds his weapon during an apparent disturbance Saturday night. (Provided photo — Jason Cerone/Press-Republican)

DANNEMORA — Additional correction officers were called in and a type of gas agent was fired into the North Yard at Clinton Correctional Facility during an incident Saturday night.

New York state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said the incident was handled and there were no injuries.

Officers could be seen arriving and rushing into the prison shortly after 8 p.m., and the sound of apparent weapon fire could be heard in the heart of the village.

Several people ignored rain and lightning to gather outside the prison walls to watch and listen.

Officers in the towers overlooking the inside of the prison could be seen with weapons drawn.

A haze of what appeared to be smoke wafted in the air over the prison as the night wore on, indicating gas had been fired.

New York State Corrections Officers Police Benevolent Association Northern Region Vice President John Roberts told the Press-Republican that additional officers were called in to quell a disturbance among inmates in the yard that started around 5 p.m.

Roberts said that chemical agents were fired into the yard. He said inmates were refusing to return inside the prison, but, “I can’t confirm why.”

The North Yard is the main outside area of the maximum security prison where inmates spend time in the evening.

DOCCS confirmed Sunday morning that a “number of incarcerated individuals refused to come in from the yard at the Clinton Correctional Facility and a subsequent altercation between incarcerated individuals ensued.”

DOCCS also said that security staff deployed chemical agents in order to stop the violence, and the yard was cleared without further incidents. No staff or inmates were injured.

DOCCS said there is an ongoing investigation and the facility has been locked down for a full search.

Jason Cerone of the Press-Republican contributed to this story

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