OLYMPIA – Order was restored at Monroe Correctional Complex after an estimated 50 inmates protested an effort to move some prisoners to new living units as part of efforts to control a COVID-19 outbreak, state officials said Thursday.

Corrections Secretary Stephen Sinclair said the incident developed over the week, as one inmate tested positive for the virus on Sunday, and contact mapping of his movements led to placing six others into isolation. They also tested positive.

On Wednesday, corrections officials attempted to move inmates considered more vulnerable to the disease because of age or medical conditions into different housing to protect them, Sinclair said.

“That was met with resistance,” he said.

Inmates in another living unit that was placed on quarantine broke the quarantine, with 100 going into the recreation yard and putting themselves and everyone around them at risk, he said. About half the inmates breaking the quarantine refused orders to disperse and vandalized a living unit.

Law enforcement officials regained control, eventually using pepper spray and “sting balls” that release light, noise and rubber pellets on inmates who refused verbal commands to stop the destruction and comply with orders.

The department said no one was injured. Two living units were evacuated, and the facility was placed on restricted movement.

Inmates are still being moved around to give them a level of isolation for protection, Sinclair said.

Transfers out of Monroe to other facilities were suspended as of Tuesday morning, the department said Thursday evening.

Gov. Jay Inslee said the Corrections Department is working to reduce risk to inmates and personnel, including getting older inmates into isolated facilities.

“It does require cooperation,” he added.

The state is also exploring ways to reduce the prison population, such as through early release for nonviolent drug offenders who are within 60 days of their release date.

Inmates who finish their sentences are tested before they are released, Sinclair said. If they show symptoms of COVID-19, they are connected with a health resource in the county where they are being released, he said.