At least 15 people were taken to hospitals Wednesday after authorities reported a possible chemical exposure at an Iowa prison.
Emergency 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 suspected hazardous 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 station.
A Newton fire official told KCCI that up to 15 people were transported to four hospitals in central Iowa, though officials had not confirmed the final number of patients by Wednesday evening.
Details about the patients’ conditions were not immediately available, and authorities had not said whether those affected were incarcerated individuals, prison staff members or others at the facility.
“The cause and nature of the exposure are actively being investigated,” Cornelius said.
He added that, “Out of an abundance of caution, the area has been secured, and relevant safety and emergency response procedures were implemented immediately.”
UnityPoint Health officials said four people were brought to a hospital in Grinnell, while four others were transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines with injuries described as non-life-threatening, KCCI reported.
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.
