News 12 -- February 6, 2010

AUGUSTA --- Thirty-one Richmond County inmates are on lockdown after a fight broke out at the jail Friday evening, landing three sheriff's deputies in the hospital.

Sheriff Ronnie Strength says the fight started when a deputy noticed the inmates gambling. When the deputy and two others tried to break up the activities, the inmates resisted and fought back.

Crime suppression team and road patrol deputies were called in for backup, but the brawl lasted several minutes before they arrived. Sheriff Strength says the fight was soon under control once backup arrived and the 35 officers were able to contain the inmates.

Three deputies were taken to a hospital for treatment. The injuries are all non-life threatening and include a broken nose, broken rib and one officer stabbed in the face with a pencil.

The fight broke out around 7:30pm on the 6th floor, where violent criminals are housed. The entire floor has been placed on lockdown, meaning all inmates are confined to their cells, isolated and stripped of any privileges.

Sheriff Strength says they will remain on lockdown for an indefinite amount of time, but adds that he is "not thinking at all about letting them off" right now.

Law enforcement is still investigating the incident and looking into the possibility of criminal charges.

Sheriff Strength stresses that a jail fight on this level does not happen often. He says one-on-one fights will break out occasionally, but they very rarely have to deal with a group fight like this.