Inmates at Liberty Co. jail attempt takeover during contraband check, sheriff’s office says

Several state and local law enforcement stepped in to assist during a disturbance at the Liberty County Jail during a periodic contraband check. Details are limited due to how active the investigation is, but based on preliminary information from the Liberty Co. Sheriff’s Office, it appears that everything started because the guards were in the middle of periodic checks for contraband in the inmates’ jail dorms. On this particular day, however, at least four or five inmates that Lt. Bennet with the Sheriff’s Office described as “instigators” were being hostile half an hour into the checks. Those inmates then reportedly tried to “take over” the jail dorms by smashing windows and refusing to let guards in. We’re told there were a total of 23 inmates involved in the incident in addition to the four or five “instigators.” After about 30 minutes, the incident was quelled and one of the “main instigators” Lt. Bennet said, suffered some injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Some of the inmates may have to stay at another facility due to damage at the jail, but Sheriff Bobby Raider said many of the jails he reached out to are at full capacity.