Monroe Co. Jail Inmates Riot Over Sandwich

The riot started after 29 inmates threw food on the floor and meal trays in the trash, because they weren’t satisfied with their state provided meal of two sandwiches and a piece of fruit.

A strap that secures the hot meals in the jail’s delivery truck broke on its way to drop off dinner, which caused the food to go everywhere and the inmates were left eating the cold sandwiches.

The on duty sergeant was forced to call in back up, after the inmates ignored orders to return to their cells or face criminal charges. 8 inmates refused to cooperate. Matthew Norris, Jerrod Williams, Terry Cook, Jeremy Reyes, Eric Ussery, Denzel Poole, and Ali Malik all face misdemeanor obstruction charges. Eugene Springer, the alleged ring leader, is charged with inciting a riot and has since been moved from the Monroe County Jail.

The riot lasted less than 2 hours and no force had to be used. According to Lt. Jeff Thompson, Interim Jail Commander, no new policies or procedures will go into place because of the riot.

He says, “I honestly believe in my heart everybody all through out this process made the exact right decision at the exact right time.”