Four Inmates Injured in Racial Brawl at Jail Facility in Castaic

Four inmates were injured Saturday in a brawl between blacks and Latinos at the Peter J. Pitchess Honor Rancho in Castaic, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

The four inmates, who suffered minor injuries, were taken to San Fernando Community Hospital for treatment of cuts, said Deputy Benita Hinojos. No deputies were injured.

An argument in a dormitory at the medium-security jail’s North Facility escalated and involved all 90 resident inmates, who took sides along racial lines, she said. The cause of the dispute was unknown. It was the latest in a string of fights between black and Latino inmates at the jail.

Deputies used three sting-ball grenades to quell the disturbance, which started at 9:45 a.m., Hinojos said. The grenades are filled with rubber pellets that stun victims, she said.