PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE  For Immediate Release

EARLY MORNING FIRE DESTROYS BUILDING AT MEN’S HONOR FARM JAIL

March 1, 2009

MODESTO, CA - An early morning fire at the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Men’s Honor Farm destroyed a building which was used by staff. Shortly before 4:30 this morning a civilian kitchen employee notified deputies of smoke coming from a building located near the parking lot of the Honor Farm. Deputies responded to the building and noticed a large amount of smoke coming for the inside of the building. The Westport, Woodland Avenue, and Ceres Fire Departments all responded and arrived on scene shortly after 4:30am. The fire department had the fire contained in about 30 minutes. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is believed to be accidental.

The fire did not effect jail operations involving the inmate housed at the Honor Farm. The building that was destroyed was used by department staff for meetings and interviews. The Honor Farm houses sentenced inmates and selected pretrial inmates. Inmates housed at the Honor Farm have the ability to participate in outdoor exercise and are expected to participate in work crews assigned to maintenance or highway cleanup work. The average inmate population at the Men’s Honor Farm is 350.

For information regarding this press release please contact Deputy Royjindar Singh (209) 652-6597.

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