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California Prisons

Probe Uncovers Strip Searches, Chains and Racism at California Prisons

In California, a controversy is escalating over claims of abusive and racist treatment in the state prison system. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and state senate leaders announced this week they are backing a full-scale investigation of alleged racism and cruelty by guards at the High Desert State Prison in Susanville. Officials said the move came in response to a two-part expose published Sunday and Monday by the Sacramento Bee. The Bee investigation found evidence of brutality, cruelty and corruption by correctional officers at a special behavior modification unit at the prison. Prisoners describe strip-searches in a snow-covered exercise yard, as well as guards who assaulted prisoners, tried to provoke attacks between inmates, and spread human excrement on cell doors. Charles Piller is the investigative reporter at the Sacramento Bee who broke the story. Ref. Source 6

Prisons California

Prisoners Near Death As 1,700 California Inmates Continue Hunger Strike
By Marie Diamond

A hunger strike started by prisoners at Pelican Bay to protest appalling conditions has spread across California as inmates at 13 prisons joined in solidarity. Ref. Source 3

California Prisons History & Civil Business Politics

Wary county OKs plan to house state criminals

County supervisors unanimously approved a plan Tuesday to deal with thousands of lower-level criminals by housing them in local jails instead of state prisons and requiring county probation officers to supervise them. Ref. Source 2

Prisons California

Why California's prisoners are starving for solitary change:

Californian prisoners have repeatedly gone on hunger strike over the solitary confinement in which some spend decades Ref. Source 1

Prisons California

Solitary Confinement as Torture

Some US Prisons Recognize the Problem, as California Inmates Ask the UN to Act. Ref. Source 4

California Prisons

15 misconduct reports at SoCal prisons

Lieutenant accused of paddling an inmate, and vice versa Ref. Source 6

California Prisons

Are California Prisons Punishing Inmates Based on Race?

In several men's prisons across California, colored signs hang above cell doors: blue for black inmates, white for white, red, green or pink for Hispanic, yellow for everyone else. Ref. Source 7

California Prisons Politics Business Civil & History

Tens of Thousands of California Prisoners Launch Mass Hunger Strike:

The strikers are calling for an end to long-term solitary confinement and better prison conditions. Ref. Source 5