The Minnesota Department of Corrections confirms to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that several staff members at MCF-Stillwater were taken to the hospital today. They say it was out of an abundance of caution.

Later, eight other staff members also experienced symptoms. Seven of them were taken to the hospital. One staff member was given Narcan when they began experiencing symptoms.

DOC officials say one staff member responded to a report of prisoner smoking an unknown substance in his cell. They say the staff member experienced lightheadedness, nausea and an increased heart rate. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

All nine staff members have since been treated and released.

The DOC’s Office of Special Investigations is investigating to figure out what the substance was and how it got into the prison. The prisoner caught smoking said he had smoked a stronger than expected dose of synthetic K-2.

While investigators have not completed testing for the specific substance from this incident, DOC officials say recent investigations identified the presence of MDMB-4en-PINACA, soaked into paper and dried. PINACA is an indazole-based synthetic cannabinoid that is often purchased online and can be introduced into the facility through the mail.

“These synthetic substances are particularly dangerous because the chemical properties that comprise them are unknown and uncontrolled,” said Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell. “We are prioritizing our investigative efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible for conspiring to introduce these substances into the secure correctional environment. For the safety of our staff, we are reviewing and updating our emergency response protocols to suspected drug use incidents.”

The prison will remain in lockdown through tomorrow.

“The ongoing drug crisis in our correctional facilities is putting everyone at risk,” said AFSCME Council 5 Corrections Policy Committee President and AFSCME Local 915 President at MCF Bart Andersen. “Despite our members’ very best efforts as they conduct their honorable and courageous work, the problem persists, and immediate action from the MN Department of Corrections is needed to prevent further harm and loss of life. Our union is calling for urgent investments, enhanced and effective drug detection systems, and stronger policies in place to eliminate the threat of drugs in our correctional institutions. Our correctional staff need to be heard, and their solutions implemented, not ignored. This dangerous situation cannot continue in any of our correctional facilities, and we will not stop until all of our staff and facilities are safe.”