10 guards hurt in Pa. prison melee

March 23, 2009 at 10:50a.m.

HOUTZDALE, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania State police are blaming an inmate from Philadelphia for instigating a melee that saw 10 guards hurt at a state prison in north central Pennsylvania.

Police say charges are pending against 30-year-old Rhonshawn Jackson and five other inmates from Philadelphia. They allegedly fought with guards who tried to remove Jackson from the dining hall at the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale in Clearfield County.

Police say the melee started Thursday at dinner time when Jackson refused to pick up his meal ticket.

Police say two guards suffered facial fractures.

State police and corrections officials are investigating. It’s not clear if Jackson or the other inmates have attorneys.