Fight Breaks Out On Federal Prison Bus; 4 Inmates Injured

A bus transporting 40 federal inmates to the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City stopped short of its destination Monday.

Grady County Jailers were transporting federal inmates on behalf of the U.S. Marshals, when a fight broke out between a group of inmates aboard a bus.

The jailers stopped the bus along the H.E. Bailey Turnpike near Newcastle and called in several law enforcement agencies, including Newcastle Police, Grady County Sheriff, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Officers soon found four inmates were injured in the brawl. One was taken to the hospital.

U.S. Marshal's Deputy Andrew Joseph said the FBI is reviewing the incident to determine if proper procedures were followed.

The Grady County Jail houses federal inmates, and its federal liaison, Eric Forsyphe said all proper restraints were in place, before the inmates were transported.

"Leg Irons, handcuffs, and belly chains are standard for a transport," Forsyphe said.

He tells News 9 none of the inmates were considered high-risk for aggressive behavior. If an inmate meets the high-risk classification, a black box should also be used in transport.

Deputy Joseph is restricted from releasing the involved inmates identities or criminal history to the public, but he explained the U.S. Marshal's standard requires a black box be used in all circumstances.

Joseph said the four inmates will remain in Oklahoma pending the federal investigation.