Rick Stillion
The Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, Ohio
CALDWELL, Ohio — A malfunction in the air handling system at Noble Correctional Institute outside Caldwell resulted in poor air quality in a dorm that resulted in 29 inmates and four staff members being taken to area hospitals for medical treatment.
No serious injuries were reported, according to NCI officials.
All four staff members and 28 of the 29 inmates were treated in emergency departments at hospitals in Cambridge and Marietta before being released. One inmate was admitted to the hospital and later transferred to the Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center in Columbus for an unrelated, pre-existing medical condition.
His condition was not available as of press time Monday.
According to NCI officials, the air handling system malfunctioned at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday and the affected inmates and staff in the residential dorm reported suffering minor systems including headaches and vomiting.
United Ambulance Service and other medical providers from surrounding counties responded to the prison to transport those affected to the hospital with assistance from the Caldwell Fire Department.
The four employees and 23 inmates were transported to Southeastern Med in Cambridge while the remaining six inmates were taken to a Marietta hospital. The employees returned to full duty after being treated at the hospital.
Caldwell firefighters tested the air quality in the dormitory after the malfunction was repaired and air quality levels were deemed to be safe for the inmates to return. Firefighters also tested other inhabited areas at NCI and air levels were found to be safe.
Inmates were reportedly returned to their dormitory at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday and the prison returned to normal operations less than 12 hours after the initial incident.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office also consulted with NCI officials during the incident.
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