Substance Sickens Two Inmates at Western Regional

A state agency spokesman says authorities are investigating the sickening of two inmates at the Western Regional Jail.

Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety spokesman Lawrence Messina says the inmates had an adverse reaction to an unknown substance. He tells WSAZ-TV TV that both inmates were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Messina says West Virginia State Police are investigating the incident, which occurred last week. An internal investigation also is being conducted.

Authorities haven’t determined what the substance was or how it got into the jail in Barboursville.

Messina says the jail has a zero tolerance policy for contraband.

The jail ended contact visits in 2014 because of concerns about contraband being brought into the facility.