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California Pens :: Avenal State Prison

March 2011

March 10 – An inmate jumped a fence into no-man’s land and was caught before jumping over an electrified fence area.

April 2010

April 11 - Approximately 100 black inmates attacked 13 white inmates on A-Yard. Three staff were injured responding to the riot; one sprained ankle, one dislocated shoulder and one injured hand. All officers were treated for their injuries; two officers are out on leave. One inmate was taken to a hospital via a helicopter due to multiple head injuries and four other inmates were taken by ambulance. 

February 2010

 

FEBRUARY 6 --  A Facility 6 gym officer observed an inmate talking on a cell phone. The officer ordered the inmate to surrender the phone, but the inmate continued his conversation. The officer gave the inmate a second order and the inmate began to dismantle the phone to remove the SIM card. As the officer grasped the phone, the inmate pushed her away and grabbed the phone. The officer activated her alarm. The inmate then surrendered the phone, was placed in handcuffs and escorted from the gym. 
 
FEBRUARY 5 --  An LVN had instructed an inmate to return to his housing unit and retrieve his identification card in an effort to positively identify him prior to dispensing his medications. The inmate became agitated and threw two cups of water on the LVN before exiting the clinic. The LVN informed an officer, who located and remanded the inmate to Ad Seg. 
October 2009

October 4 - An inmate threw an object striking an officer on the inside of her knee.

September 2009

September 22 - A total of 193 inmates were involved in a riot that began in the Facility 5 Yard then immediately spread inside three of the four dormitories. Two hours later, fighting broke out in the fourth dorm. Inmates used canes, walkers and foot rests from wheelchairs to beat each other. 30 inmate-manufactured weapons were confiscated. No staff were injured as a result of the race riot.

September 7 - A riot erupted on Facility 2 when 14 Northern Hispanic inmates attacked nine Southern Hispanic inmates simultaneously in three housing units. Staff utilized pepper spray to quell the incident. Several slashing weapons were recovered. One inmate was transported to an outside hospital for slashing injuries to his face. No staff were injured.

August 2009

August 15 - A riot occurred on the Facility 2 Yard involving about 400 inmates. The inmates refused staff orders to stop, which necessitated the use of grenades and pepper spray. Four inmates were transported to outside hospitals due to their injuries. There were no staff injuries.

August 15 - Hispanic inmates in the Facility 2 Dining Room became disruptive by throwing trash, food, trays and kicking the doors. The inmates complied with staff orders to stop. The inmates exited the dining room and were searched and placed in restraints without further incident. 

April 2009

April 1 - An inmate was being escorted out of his housing unit due to his disruptive behavior and placed in a holding cell for a mental health evaluation. Facility S&E opened the cuff port to assist the LVN administering oral medication. The LVN gave the inmate a paper cup of water to take his medication. The inmate drank from the cup and as the inmate was giving the cup back to the LVN he threw it at the officer; hitting the officer in the face. The officer was medically evaluated and reported back to his post

October 2008
April 2008
March 2008

March 11 - A riot erupted involving 23 Southern Hispanics and 13 Fresno Bulldogs inmates that resulted in one inmate being transported to an area hospital with head injuries. Staff orders to stop fighting were ignored. Staff then utilized force to stop the riot. No staff were injured.

February 2008

February 28 - An inmate was discovered in possession of a controlled substance. As the inmate was being escorted to a support building, he grabbed the substance and attempted to exit the office. Staff attempted to gain control of the inmate who did not comply with staff orders to cease. The inmate then kicked one Sergeant in the head. The inmate was placed in ASU and the substance was processed into evidence.

February 15 - As inmates were being processed to work outside the fence 14 Southern Hispanics and six Bulldogs were involved in a riot. The inmates refused to obey staff ordered to stop, resulting in staff's use of force. Two 40mm stinger rounds and two grenades were used to stop the melee. No staff injuries or serious inmate injuries occurred.

February 11 - An inmate struck a Correctional Officer on the side of his head. Staff utilized pepper spray after the inmate did not comply with orders. The officer was sent to Coalinga Regional Medical Center.

February 13 - A riot occurred near the vehicle sally port involving three Southerners and three Bulldogs. Pepper spray was utilized. There were no injuries to staff and no major injuries to inmates.

January 2008

January 2 - Nearly 50 white and southern Hispanic inmates engaged in a riot at Avenal State Prison. Two inmates were taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital. Five inmates were taken via ambulance to be treated for injuries. Two weapons were discovered and there were no injuries to staff.