An auxiliary building on the grounds of the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem was evacuated Friday and one worker was taken to a hospital after a suspicious substance was found in the mailroom, officials said.
Around 11 a.m., an employee in the mailroom reported the substance and the building, which is outside of the main penitentiary, was evacuated. One person was taken to the hospital as a precaution, officials said. The building was later cleared by crews from the Salem Fire department.
On Wednesday, a building at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility was evacuated after an employee in the mailroom discovered an envelope containing a powdery substance. Four workers in that incident were hospitalized for decontamination.
“At this time, these two incidents do not appear to be related,” officials said in a statement. “The Oregon Department of Correctionsis working with its law enforcement partners to determine next steps.”
-- Kale Williams
503-294-4048
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