Life at Northpoint Far From Normal

Life is far from back-to-normal at Northpoint Training Center, where inmates rioted and burned much of the central Kentucky prison on August 21st. Spokesperson Mendalyn Cochran says several buildings were destroyed in the blaze, but about 500 inmates have been returned to six dorms that were reopened following minor repairs.“They’re receiving their mail, and getting telephone calls from family and friends," says Cochran. "They have a limited canteen at this point, but we’re trying to let them buy the things that they need and they’re getting medical services. And you know, we’re just doing the best we can as resuming parts of our normal operation every day and just improvising with what we have.”She says many of their operations are in off-site or temporary locations.“Visitation has not started back yet, but we are looking at plans – you know the visiting room burned down – so we’re looking at plans to find an alternate site to do the visitation and those plans are in the works, but no timeline has been set on when that will be up and running," says Cochran.About 700 inmates have been moved from Northpoint to other Kentucky prisons. An investigation continues into what triggered the riot. A Kentucky Fire Marshal’s report on the incident said the facility also sustained damage to doors, walls, and plumbing fixtures.