Staff Trying to Restore Order at Immigrant Detention Center

Detainees protest quality of health care

POSTED: 04:55 PM CST Feb 20, 2015 UPDATED: 05:37 PM CST Feb 20, 2015

Disturbance Continues at Immigrant Detention Center

RAYMONDVILLE -Law enforcement agencies from throughout the Rio Grande Valley converged at the perimeter of the Willacy County immigration detention center after reports of a disturbance.

The incident started Friday morning at the MTC detention center in the outskirts of Raymondville.

Raymondville High School, Myra Green Middle School and Pittman Elementary School were placed on soft lockdown. Students were not allowed outside of the main buildings, but parents were able to pick up their children if they want to.
At approximately 1:20 p.m. smoke started billowing from between the tents at the center.

Two correctional officers and one inmate suffered minor injuries.

Prison officials said approximately 2,000 inmates were involved in the disturbance. A spokesman for the company that runs the prison initially said approximately 200 to 300 offenders were involved.

Tensions began when the men refused to do their work detail.

At one point, gunfire-like sounds could be heard at the center.

Men rushed out of the massive tents and began tearing down poles.

A Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter and a mass casualty ambulance were sent to the scene.

Authorities say the detainees are protesting the quality of medical cervices at the center.

 http://www.krgv.com/news/local-news/...enter/31388502