2013 California prisoner hunger strike

The 2013 California prisoner hunger strike, which involved upwards of 29,000 inmates of the California prison system, began on July 8, 2013, primarily in protest of the indefinite solitary confinement of prisoners with alleged gang affiliations and lasted for 60 days. The strike was organized by inmates in long term solitary in the Security Housing Unit (SHU) at Pelican Bay State Prison.[1][2] It is the largest hunger strike in the history of California and possibly in world history.[3] Amnesty International has supported the hunger striker's concerns.[4] One prisoner at California State Prison, Corcoran, Billy Sell, died in disputed circumstances on July 22, while participating in the strike.[5] Amnesty International has stated that "Conditions for prisoners in solitary confinement in California are an affront to human rights and must end".[6] In October 2011, UN Special Rapporteur on torture Juan Mendez called for the prohibition of solitary confinement.[7]

On July 8, 2013, more than 30,000 inmates refused to eat state-issued food. By July 11, 2013, 12,421 inmates in 24 state prisons and four out-of-state contract facilities had missed nine consecutive meals, the point at which the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation considers an inmate to be on a hunger strike. Of the more than 30,000 inmates who refused to eat state-issued food on July 8, only 2,377 had not been charged by California prison authorities with gang affiliation. The contested nature of such charges, however, is one issue at the root of the hunger strike.

In addition to the hunger strike, 1,336 inmates refused to participate in their work assignments or attend educational classes. Of course, this did not affect prisoners in solitary confinement because they are not allowed to do any kind of prison work as they are confined to their cells 22 1/2 hours a day, seven days a week. By July 24, there were no inmates engaging in a work stoppage.

By September 4, 2013, there were 100 inmates in two prisons on a hunger strike; 40 of them had been on a hunger strike continuously since July 8. All remaining hunger strikers resumed eating on September 5, 2013.

Prison doctors had expressed concern over the strikers potential health risks and prison authorities stated that they would force-feed the hunger strikers as a way of forcing them off of the hunger strike, despite the fact that some had signed "do not resuscitate" orders.[8] The strike was officially suspended by prisoners on September 5 after a California judge approved the force-feeding of prisoners.[9] Two days prior, state lawmakers had agreed to hold public hearings, starting in October, on the conditions in its maximum-security prisons, and the use of long-term isolation.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "California Prison Hunger Strike: 30,000 Inmates Refuse Meals". Huffingtonpost.com. July 9, 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-28.
  2. ↑ New York Times, July 11 2013
  3. ↑ Carroll, Rory (July 9, 2013). "California (News),Human rights,US news,Law,World news". The Guardian (London).
  4. ↑ "Take Action Now - Amnesty International USA". Takeaction.amnestyusa.org. 2011-01-09. Retrieved 2013-07-28.
  5. ↑ NBC News, July 30, 2013
  6. ↑ Amnesty International USA, July 30, 2013
  7. ↑
  8. ↑
  9. ↑ Lovett, Ian (September 5, 2013). "Inmates End Hunger Strike in California". The New York Times.

External links


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