Texas prison roof collapses, 20 inmates injured

photo Lufkin Police and Texas DPS officers work to secure the backside of the Diboll Correctional Facility on Saturday, July 19, 2014 in Diboll, Texas. (AP Photo/The Daily News, Rhonda Oaks)

DIBOLL, Texas - Authorities say the roof of a privately run East Texas prison has collapsed, temporarily trapping dozens of inmates and injuring 20 - 10 of whom went to nearby hospitals.

Texas prison system spokesman Jason Clark said wallboard fell from the ceiling of a housing area. It happened at midday Saturday at the Diboll Correctional Center, about 100 miles northeast of Houston.

Warden David Driskell said 84 inmates were in the area and many were trapped briefly.

Diboll police Sgt. Brandan Lovell said 20 inmates were injured, with 10 taken to hospitals. Driskell said the others were treated at the scene for minor injuries and none appeared life-threatening.

Prison officials were trying to determine what caused the collapse.

The 518-bed minimum-security facility is operated by Centerville, Utah-based Management & Training Corp.

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