Seven inmates at the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles were hospitalized Tuesday, one in critical condition, after a "suspected overdose incident" at the facility, and seven sheriff's deputies were later taken to hospitals as well after developing possibly related symptoms.
Paramedics were initially sent to the jail in the 400 block of East Bauchet Street at about 6:50 a.m., according the Los Angeles Fire Department.
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"Working closely with Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies and staff, a total of seven adult male inmates, one in critical condition and six in serious condition, were provided timely care and prompt hospital transportation by LAFD responders, following their apparent exposure to a yet to be identified substance within Dorm 5600 at the secured Sheriff's facility," an LAFD statement said.
"Pursuant to protocol, an LAFD Hazardous Materials Task Force was summoned to perform a comprehensive environmental assessment of the involved area. Finding no additional patients, and determining there to be no escalating or off-site hazard, control of the scene was transferred from the team of LAFD HazMat experts to the County of Los Angeles Health Hazardous Materials Division and LASD officials," the LAFD said.
According to the sheriff's department, at about 3 p.m. Tuesday, seven deputies involved in the investigation into the earlier "suspected overdose incident" were taken to hospitals as a precaution after developing potentially related symptoms.
"Custody deputies were in the process of searching the housing dorm and making it safe prior to repopulating when some of them started to experience symptoms," according to the sheriff's department, which added that all of the deputies "were conscious and in stable condition."
Tuesday's situation came three weeks after an inmate died and seven others were hospitalized due to a possible overdose and exposure to narcotics at the Men's Central Jail.
In its statement Tuesday, the sheriff's department said authorities "are deeply concerned about these recent incidents and are committed to preventing illicit substances from entering our jail facilities utilizing mail scanners, body scanners, and scent-detection K9s."
"Searches of persons entering the jails have been enhanced with the addition of custody K-9 teams which help detect narcotics in our custody facilities," according to the agency. "The department is optimistic that in the near future, we will have the use of updated technological solutions, including more advanced body and property scanners, that will further assist us in minimizing illicit substances in the jails."
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