California Pens ::

April 2012

April 13 – Two MTAs were preparing inmate patients for yard release when an inmate patient’s cell was opened. As the inmate patient stepped out of his cell, he lunged and began swinging his arms at one of the MTAs. The second MTA activated his alarm and gained control of the inmate patient, taking him to a prone position. While both MTAs held the inmate patient down, the inmate squirmed, resisted, and tried to swing his arms; striking one of the MTA’s face. The second MTA sustained injuries to both wrists and knees. The MTAs were transported to an outside medical facility for evaluation and treatment.

January 2012

January 2 – As an inmate patient was being searched by an MTA, a pen and paper were removed from the inmate patient’s back pocket. The inmate patient tried to reach toward the MTA to obtain the items. The MTA asked the inmate to continue to the treatment room. The inmate then punched the MTA in the face. Two MTA attempted to restrain the inmate patient as he continued to throw punches. An alarm was activated and several verbal orders were given to stop fighting and get into a prone position. The inmate patient refused and continued to resist. The inmate was placed on the floor by the two MTAs. As other staff arrived, handcuffs and leg irons were applied. The inmate patient was escorted to the treatment room. One MTA was taken to an outside hospital for treatment and the other MTA was treated on site and later sent home. 

January 2011

December 18 – At California Medical Facility, three MTAs were escorting an inmate back to his cell from the day room. As the inmate exited the dayroom he lunged at one of the MTAs punching him in the face. The MTA grabbed the inmate with both arms and wrestled him to the floor. An alarm was activated and the MTA continued to hold the inmate on the floor until responding staff arrived.

December 2010

December 30 – At Valley State Prison for Women an inmate threw a cup containing liquid at a LPT. The cup and liquid struck the LPT on the leg.

September 2010

September 18 – During breakfast program, an inmate patient accidently spilled milk onto his tray and the table he shared with other inmate patients. As an MTA approached the table to provide assistance, staff saw the assailant put food items in his pocket. When the MTA asked the inmate to relinquish the items, he suddenly stood up and started cursing and swinging at the MTA. The MTA held the inmate in a firm face-to-face hold, while holding his head down to avoid blows to his face. The inmate patient struck the MTA multiple times to the top of the head and back before other staff were able to intervene and stop the attack. The MTA was transported to an outside hospital for treatment of his injuries.

June 2010

June 24 – Wasco medical staff were passing out the morning medication in the CTC, when an inmate was given his medication. The medical staff issued a small cup of medication and a drinking cup through the food port of his cell door. The inmate took the items and walked toward his sink to fill the cup, while blocking the staff’s view with his back. Staff did not have a clear view of the liquid substance being placed in the cup. The inmate then returned to the food port and threw the cup of unknown clear liquid substance out of the food port, striking the officer on his thigh and lower leg. The inmate then pushed the cup containing his medication out toward the officer but did not strike the officer.

June 20 – While delivering breakfast to inmate patients at Salinas Valley State Prison, a patient asked for hot water for his coffee, accepted it and then immediately threw the water on one of the MTAs, who was immediately referred to medical services for assessment.

June 12 - An inmate on A facility at Kern Valley State Prison masturbated toward an LVN during medication pass.

June 11 – During shower program, an inmate under escort abruptly turned around and punched an MTA in the face and continued to be combative. The inmate was placed in restraints. While securing the combative inmate, another MTA sustained a knee injury.