The fire broke out Dec. 23rd at the Md. Correctional Institute for Women.
Jessup, Md (KM) A female inmate at the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women in Jessup is charged with setting fire to her cell. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says Haley Elizabeth Biser, 19. faces charges of 1st- and 2nd-degree arson, malicious burning in the 1st-degree and possession of contraband in a place of confinement.
Fire fighters from Fort Meade, and Anne Arundel and Howard Counties responded to the facility 7943 Brock Ridge Road on Sunday evening, December 23rd, at 8:40 for a building fire. Correctional officers told fire officials that fire broke out in the D-Wing of Building 192, and that all inmates had been safely evacuated. Fire fighters found fire coming from one cell, and quickly extinguished the flames.
Correctional officers discovered Biser on the floor of her cell.. She was evaluated by medical staff, but refused treatment.
Another female inmate was taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center for an unrelated emergency. Five correctional officers were taken to off-site medical facilities to be treated for smoke inhalation, and were released.
Due to the nature of the fire occurring in a facility owned by the State of Maryland, the Office of the State Fire Marshal was asked to respond and conduct an investigation. Deputy Fire Marshals say Biser intentionally set her cell on fire, and remained in her cell while correctional officers and other inmates noticed smoke coming from the facility. . Correctional officers made access to the area, and saw fire and heavy smoke conditions. They attempted to put out the flames with fire extinguishers. During that time, they noticed Biser lying on the floor of her cell. She was pulled to safety.
Deputy Fire Marshals were assisted in their investigation by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Intelligence and Investigative Division.
By Kevin McManus