Sheriff: Gangs started prison riot - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

The Adams County Correctional Center remains under tight security but is calmer after Sunday's deadly riot.

At one point, more than 20 corrections officers were being held hostage by about 300 prisoners.

"They had anything they could find. Makeshift mop handles, broom handles, things that you would find just around for cleaning," says Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield.

Tear gas and other riot gear were used to quell the violence.

After nine hours of rioting, each prisoner was searched for weapons and put back in their cell.

"The whole thing was probably over around 11 or 11:30 (Sunday evening), but it took until about probably 3 or 3:30 this (Monday) morning to get everybody secured and back into the housing unit," recalls Mayfield.

There are about 2,500 prisoners at the prison. 

Mayfield believes that Sunday's uprising is almost inevitable at a prison. 

At least 15 prison employees were injured. Three inmates were also wounded in the uprising.

Killed in the riot was Senior Correctional Officer Catlin Carithers, 24, of Meadville. He began working with Corrections Corporation of America in 2009.

"Just an overall nice guy," remembers Jeff Webb.

Webb owns Hobo Fork Grocery right across Highway 84 from the prison and knows many of the officers, including Carithers.

He recalls the scene Sunday evening.

"I was worried more or less about the guards that may have been trapped in there or being held hostage. And trying to keep order in the parking lot."

The prison is owned and operated by corrections corporation of America. Most of the inmates are illegal immigrants who re-entered the country after being deported.

Adams County investigators have began a criminal investigation into the riot.

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