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Missouri Prison Still on Lockdown A Month After Riot

A Missouri prison remains on lockdown more than a month after a sit-down protest turned into a riot, and officials with the union that represents corrections officers worry that a severe staffing shortage could lead to more violence.

Inmate activities have been restricted at Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron since May 12. After dinner on that day, 209 inmates staged a protest out of anger over restrictions on recreation and programs that were borne out of a corrections officer staffing shortage.

Eventually the inmates were ordered to return to their cells. The Missouri Department of Corrections said 78 of them refused to do so and began damaging property in the building that houses dining halls, the kitchen, staff offices and a factory.

 
 
Staff and the 131 inmates who surrendered after the protest were removed from the building. Local police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived. A patrol negotiator brokered peace after about six hours. No staff members were hurt. About a dozen inmates were treated for scrapes and bruises.

To view the whole story, go tocolumbiamissourian.com