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
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