"Forty windows have been blown out, including the casing and all that," said Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, Jr. "In addition to that, part of the roof. ... Plus we have a gas leak."
SPRINGFIELD - More than 150 inmates were evacuated from the Western Massachusetts Correctional Alcohol Center after Wednesday's tornadoes rendered the building too unsafe to occupy.
The facility's 135 men were taken to Hampden County Jail and House of Correction in Ludlow while the 18 women were taken to Western Massachusetts Women's Correctional Center in Chicopee, said Richard McCarthy, spokesperson for the Hampden County Sheriff's department.
Vans from the two prisons had to brave the extreme weather to pick up the Springfield inmates 11 at a time. Some had to make multiple trips, McCarthy said.
"Forty windows have been blown out, including the casing and all that," said Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, Jr. "In addition to that, part of the roof. ... Plus we have a gas leak."
The building's roof has two penetrations in it and the chimney was lifted. It now leans to the side and the flue has to be examined to determine if it's safe, said McCarthy.
Ashe said the facility is "not fit for occupancy."
"We're out of Howard Street. We can't stay here," he said.
McCarthy said there was "significant window damage and flying debris embedded in the side of the building." Lumber and bricks from surrounding structures damaged the center and many of the vehicles in the parking lot were destroyed.
Sheriff's department captain Patrick Murphy, head of security, said the staff responded quickly after the tornado hit. The inmates were moved to the basement and the facility was opened up to the public as a shelter. The inmates and the public were in separate locations, he said.
There were no attempted escapes or any other incidents during the evacuation, he said. He credits what he said were the fast and brave actions of the staff and the complete cooperation of the inmates for the smooth process.
McCarthy said he was not sure if the facility would be relocated and reopened.
"None of our attention has been focused on that tonight," he said.
Outside the building, Murphy said, several people were injured during the storm, including three young people with cuts to their legs and arms. Correctional officers, including Officer Ryan Trexler, assisted them while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
"(A woman) sustained an injury to the back of her head and she was bleeding pretty bad," said Trexler. He put pressure on the wound and stayed with her until paramedics arrived, he said.
"I think it goes to say a lot about the Sheriff's department and the training we receive," he said.