FLORENCE - Contraband alcohol produced by prisoners inside a maximum-security prison in Florence is believed to be the cause of suspected botulism poisoning of seven inmates, authorities say.
The botulism likely resulted from alcohol made clandestinely by prisoners from fermented fruit, Pinal County and the state Department of Corrections say.
The seven inmates remained in intensive care after they became ill over the weekend, authorities say.
They're housed in the Eyman complex's Special Management Unit 1, and prison officials were closely monitoring the health of other inmates in the same pod.
Botulinum toxin is produced by a bacteria, and ingestion can be life-threatening.
