An investigation continues into the cause of an Easter Sunday disturbance by a group of inmates at the Ellsworth Facility. The disturbance resulted in a lockdown of Building 2.

Warden Don Langford, in a telephone interview this past week with the I-R, said his staff is reviewing video footage to determine what occurred. Six investigators have been called to assist the ECF investigative office with interviews of staff members and inmates. Langford said staff members also continue to monitor inmate mail, telephone calls and video visits. He said the investigation will take a couple of weeks to complete.

Langford said if he determines criminal charges need to be filed, a complaint will be forwarded to the Ellsworth County attorney for action. That filing could seek restitution for damages and staff salaries.

Rebecca Witte, public information officer for the Kansas Department of Corrections, said between 125 and 150 men were involved in the disturbance, which lasted less than two hours. She said a minimal amount of force was used to regain control, including chemical agents, but no additional personnel were needed to assist ECF officers.

No ECF staff or residents were injured, and property damage was largely limited to bulletin boards, security cameras and trash being thrown from cells. Langford did not have an exact dollar amount of the damage.

The Ellsworth Correctional Facility opened in 1990. Serving only males, the Central Unit provides housing for 832 multi-custody offenders and the East Unit provides housing for 95 minimum-custody offenders. Building 2 consists of six living units with a total capacity of 512 medium-custody residents.