By Deana Poole and Kathleen Chapman, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Monday, May 3, 2004

The state's only maximum-security prison for juvenile females was locked down Sunday after a fight between three girls erupted into a full-blown disturbance throughout the facility, police said.

Thirty Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies, dressed in riot gear, were dispatched to the Florida Institute for Girls prison in suburban West Palm Beach at 11:57 a.m. Sunday.

It's unclear what prompted the incident, which ultimately involved 48 inmates between 13 and 21, said sheriff's spokeswoman Diane Carhart. But the situation was defused and under control about 15 minutes after deputies and fire-rescue units responded, she said.

"We had to use no violence, no force," Carhart said. "Our presence alone took care of the situation."

Ten girls were sent to area hospitals with minor injuries. It was unclear whether any were admitted. No one was charged in connection with the incident.

One deputy, whose name wasn't released, also was injured. Carhart said charges may be filed.

"It was very minor, but it was actually one of the girls like attacking him," she said.

Sunday's incident was one of the largest at the Florida Institute for Girls, a state prison that has been plagued with problems virtually since it opened in 2000.

This year, a grand jury faulted the company that runs the prison, Premier Behavioral Solutions, for rampant turnover, poorly trained staff, a pattern of violence, broken bones and sexual misconduct.

Premier Behavioral Solutions was fired after the grand jury findings were released. On May 15, Lighthouse Care Centers LLC will take over, earning $21.2 million during the next five years.

Workers at the institute said questions about Sunday's incident won't be answered until today. Phone calls to institute directors were not returned.

Vivian Thompkins of West Palm Beach also was trying to find out what happened at the prison. Her 16-year-old daughter went there a year ago after three different weapons charges, she said.

Thompkins said she doesn't like her daughter's staying in a place where there's so much violence and reports of sexual abuse.

"It's a sad place," she said.

The frequent fights and problems have affected her daughter, Thompkins said. "She used to be so happy and outgoing. She ain't like that no more."

The facility houses female juvenile offenders who pose the highest risk. Generally, offenders spend two to three years in the facility.

Another fight in February between between inmates and guards sent two employees to the hospital and resulted in two arrests.

Authorities say 13 minor injuries were reported in yesterday's melee. More than two dozen officers and fire-rescue workers went to the Florida Institute for Girls to help stop the fight, which began after three inmates with histories of causing trouble began acting up.

The tension reached the other 45 teenage inmates. Some girls needed to be restrained and handcuffed to confine them to their cells.

Eleven girls were taken to three hospitals but eight, including one who is pregnant, were back at the prison Sunday night. Two other inmates were involuntarily committed to a locked psychiatric ward, and the third was still being evaluated at a hospital. At least one guard and one sheriff's deputy were also injured.

Associated Press