Surveillance Camera Catches Jail Fight Less than 24 Hours after Installation

• By Sydny Shepard
• Mar 04, 2016

A massive jail fight between inmates was documented less than 24 hours after the installation of security cameras on the fourth floor of a jail in Santa Clara County.

The incident happened just after 3:00 p.m. and the jail was immediately placed on lockdown and hazmat crews were brought in to clean up the pepper spray that was used to subdue inmates. Approximately 20 deputies responded to the fight, according to a Santa Clara Jail spokesman.

Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said the fight was captured on cameras she recently purchased and installed on the fourth floor, known as pod 4A, where maximum security inmates are housed. Smith purchased 12 security cameras after learning it would take the county two years and $20 million to install more security cameras at the jails.

Smith said that the administrators of the jail will be able to look at the video and see if there is any criminal culpability and they will also be able to see what happens in a specific event and the actions of the deputies.

The purchase resulted in a $761 bill, but Smith said it was money well spent after seeing what the camera captured in its first day of installation.