By Jamie Meade
June 12, 2021
On June 10, 2021, at about 8:15 p.m., Macomb Correctional Facility (MRF) Housing Unit 1 prisoners and prison guards had a fist fight on the yard. Similar to a street fight, one prisoner and one prison guard squared up with fist raised as in a boxing ring. Several blows were thrown as other prisoners and guards stood by watching. Once another prison guard tazed the fighting prisoner, another prisoner stepped in in his defense. One female prison guard suffered injuries that were not life threatening.
A gun tower prison guard threatened to shoot into the yard if prisoners did not disperse, although no prison guards were in immediate danger. The tazed prisoners laid slumped over with his face in the ground. Prisoners yelled to give him immediate medical attention because he was not responsive.
MRF has been on COVID-19 “Outbreak Status” for over a year. Tensions and fatigue are at an all-time high. Prisoners have not seen their families in over a year. Prisoners have no leisure-time activities, no law library, and no rehabilitative programming to participate in. Prisoners at MRF are receiving just over an hour a day yard to get fresh air and to exercise. How much long can they withstand such conditions? It is hard to say, but it is obvious that frustrations are high and the continued lock-down is starting to appear financially motivated. |
