At least 15 people were taken to hospitals Wednesday after authorities reported a “potential chemical exposure incident” at an Iowa prison.
Crews from the Newton Fire Department and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Newton Correctional Facility at about 12:30 p.m. following reports of a possible chemical exposure, according to WHO13.
“Emergency protocols were activated today at Newton Correctional Facility following a potential chemical exposure incident on-site,” Iowa Department of Corrections Chief of Staff Paul Cornelius said in a statement provided to the outlet.
Up to 15 people were transported to four hospitals in central Iowa, a Newton fire official told KCCI. The exact number of people affected, however, had not been confirmed as of Wednesday evening.
Officials also had not released the patients’ conditions, and it was not immediately clear whether those sickened were incarcerated people, prison staff members or a combination of both.
“The cause and nature of the exposure are actively being investigated,” Cornelius said.
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“Out of an abundance of caution, the area has been secured, and relevant safety and emergency response procedures were implemented immediately.”
Officials from UnityPoint Health said four people were transported to a hospital in Grinnell and four others were taken to Iowa Methodist in Des Moines with non-life-threatening injuries, according to KCCI.
Meanwhile, nine additional patients were transported to medical facilities between Des Moines and Newtown, a MercyOne spokesperson told the outlet.
Cornelius added that any further updates would be provided “as verified information becomes available.”
Newtown Correctional Facility, composed of a maximum-security and medium-security facility, sits on around 1,500 acres of land several miles south of Newtown.
The facility holds roughly 1,000 inmates.
The Iowa DOC did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.