Monroe prisoner swallows cleaner

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, October 25, 2000

Herald staff

MONROE — A prisoner in the Monroe Correctional Complex’s Special Offender Unit was rushed to Valley General Medical Center at 2:07 p.m. Wednesday after drinking Pine-Sol cleaner, said a prison supervisor, Lt. John Richards.

The man may have consumed the cleaner as part of what he believed was a cleansing ritual, Richards said.

The man told medics he was not trying to hurt himself, said Monroe Fire Department Battalion Chief Leroy Schwartz.

Pine-Sol is a product generally used to clean floors and countertops.

The man was treated and released and is under observation at the prison.