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ANATOMY OF A FAILED PRISON YARD INTEGRATIONby Lt. John Kavanaugh, CSP-CorcoranThe history of violence between the Fresno Bulldog inmates and the Southern Hispanic inmates in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is lengthy and well documented. Each institution that houses these two disruptive factions on the same general population facility documents numerous cases of violence between them and corresponding lengthy disruptions to institutional operations. The following is a documented account of recent violence between Southern Hispanic and Fresno Bulldog inmates, review of the procedures CSP-Corcoran Facility 3A staff followed in the integration of 100 Southern Hispanic inmates onto Facility 3A, the supposition of anticipated violence due to that integration, and the Oct. 12, 2006, outcome of the integration of those inmates. CHRONICLE OF VIOLENCE Documents report the attempted murder of a Southern Hispanic inmate by two Fresno Bulldog inmates on March 27, 2003, at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran (CSATF). The victim subsequently succumbed to serious head injury; the suspects have been charged with his murder. Facility C consequently endured a protracted Modification to Program affecting the Fresno Bulldog general population. CSATF no longer houses Fresno Bulldog and Southern Hispanic inmates on the same general population facility. It should be noted that the killing occurred on a 180 degree facility-designed specifi cally to enhance staff and inmate safety. CSP-Corcoran reports these incidents:
POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE VIOLENCE The likelihood of retribution upon Fresno Bulldogs (due to the March 27, 2003, incident at CSATF), particularly by those Southern Hispanic inmates transferred in from CSATF has been of particular concern. Every contact between a Fresno Bulldog inmate and a Southern Hispanic inmate has resulted in violence, and, at times, serious injury. At this juncture it should have been realized by all concerned staff that the Fresno Bulldog inmates and the Southern Hispanic inmates are capable of carrying out violence against each other. Although a May 10, 2006, Action Plan did limit potential violence (with the temporary reduction in inmate manufactured weapons), no plan resolves the threat derived from the impending integration. Based upon the history of violence between the two factions, and their current capability for violence, the threat of future violence and significant disruptions to institutional operations was probable. The safety and security of the institution would be in jeopardy. Although the Fresno Bulldog inmates have held Facility 3A a virtual hostage over the years by refusing to program safely with Southern and Northern Hispanics, the level of violence has been comparably lower than other Level IV facilities. This sudden integration of an equal number of Southern Hispanic inmates onto Facility 3A would only ensure a fair fight between the two. In the early 1990s, Corcoran endured litigation and public scrutiny due to the so-called "gladiator wars." The public's valued trust in our Department was violated. Once again, the Department of Corrections (specifically Corcoran) would arbitrarily place rival inmates on the same exercise yard. And, pursuant to the California Penal Code and the California Code of Regulations, Title 15, use of force by staff will be required to subdue the attackers. Employees may even be required to use deadly force that may result in serious injury or death to those inmates we are sworn to keep safe. Continue Reading: Page 1 | Page 2  Print This PageBack to Volume 24, Issue 1 Back to PEACEKeeper Main Page |
