About 450 people were evacuated from the Santiam Correctional Institute Thursday morning, including inmates, after chemical fumes spread inside the building. fumes.

Several people said they felt light-headed after someone accidentally mixed bathrooom chemicals together and the fumes spread, authorities said. Three employees were transported to Salem Hospital for evaluation.

The facility is used as a minimum custody pre-release center to ease overcrowding at the Oregon State Penitentiary, Oregon State Correctional Institution and Oregon Women's Correctional Center.

SCI spokeswoman Susie Hodgins said everyone would likely be allowed back inside around 2 p.m., after the fumes had time to disperse naturally.

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The prison complex sits on a 12-acre parcel with nine acres inside the perimeter fence. It also places inmates in a full range of jobs and programs, including work crews.