Five of eight inmates hospitalized after becoming ill from botulism-tainted, prison-brewed alcohol have been discharged back into the Utah State Prison’s general population.
Department of Corrections spokesman Steve Gehrke confirmed Friday that the five prisoners had been released from an unspecified area hospital on Thursday; three inmates remained hospitalized in critical condition.
In all, 12 inmates were reported Oct. 5 to have become ill after consuming the brew, which had been mixed and fermented inside a plastic bag hidden in an inmate’s cell, according to the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.
Four inmates were treated at the prison medical facility, while the other eight were hospitalized with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, facial paralysis and blurry vision.