Nevada prosecutors have charged 20 people in connection with a deadly brawl that occurred at Ely State Prison in eastern Nevada last year. Three inmates were killed in the fight, which took place on July 30. The charges include first-degree murder and attempted murder with the use of a deadly weapon with intent to promote or assist a criminal gang. The final arrest in the investigation was made on March 5.
The prison, one of six in Nevada, has almost 1,200 beds and houses the state’s death row and a lethal injection chamber that has never been used since 2006. Conditions at Ely State Prison have been criticized by advocates, especially during extreme weather conditions. In December 2022, several incarcerated individuals at the prison went on a hunger strike to protest what they described as unsafe conditions and inadequate food portions.
No officers were injured in the brawl, and it is not clear how many of the 20 defendants are facing the more serious charges. The incident sheds light on the challenges faced within the prison system and highlights the ongoing issue of violence and gang activity in correctional facilities. The prosecution of those involved in the brawl is seen as a step towards addressing the safety and security concerns that exist within Nevada’s prisons.
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