Pence Commends Courage of Indiana Law Enforcement

"Yesterday as the nation looked on once again Indiana law enforcement-state, county, and city personnel showed their professionalism and courage.

"I rise today to commend the swift response by state and local authorities to quell the disturbance that began at 2:01 p.m. at the New Castle Correctional Facility at the very heart of my congressional district. During a routine transfer from a dining hall to their cellblocks, a group of inmates removed their shirts, an officer was knocked to the ground, and the situation quickly spiraled out of control, involving nearly a third of the prison's population.

"Guards quickly isolated the areas of disturbance as the nation looked on over the cable airwaves. Backup officers arrived just fifteen minutes later. The Indiana Department of Corrections activated its special emergency response team and involved the state police.

"All of the offenders and the facility were secured by 4:45 p.m. Investigations will go forward, questions will be answered, but on behalf of the citizens of eastern Indiana, I rise to express my pride and gratitude to the law enforcement community involved: the state, the local, the city and the county, all those who ensured that this disturbance was contained. Tragedy was averted, and the people of my congressional district were protected."