Inmates should not dictate prison policy
On Aug. 19, a federal judge ruled that inmates in the California state prisons system can be force-fed in order to end hunger strikes. As understandable as their struggle for better amenities might be, state legislators should not have to negotiate with convicted felons.
Wendy Fu | Daily Trojan
This particular strike was started two months ago by inmates from rival gangs who seek better living conditions in Security Housing Units, which is the California prisons’ equivalent of solitary confinement. These units house some of the most violent inmates in the state, many of whom have committed additional crimes while inside prison walls.
Since then, about 70 inmates have refused all but the most important nutrients, water and vitamins, according to the Associated Press. This stage in the strike is critical, since many will undergo serious symptoms of malnutrition within the next few weeks should the strike continue. Any actions taken by Gov. Jerry Brown, state officials and the Department of Corrections during this time can have drastic repercussions. Currently, medical care for malnourished inmates who voluntarily deprive themselves takes precedent over medical care for inmates in the general population who might actually need it.
Recent reports from the prisons paint a picture of betrayal. Yet, rather than beginning to make concessions, lawmakers ought to take a closer inspection of the finances of the California prison system. An open letter to Brown signed on behalf of more than 100 medical professionals stated that some inmates involved in the strike have been denied necessary medications, simply due to their participation. Others are on strike because of what they see as unfairly extended solitary confinement, or a lack of access to phone calls, warm clothes or education programs.
At this point, Brown and the state unions should restructure the way services are provided to the prisoners. State officials can work together to compromise on some of the demands being made. The strikes are an attempt for the incarcerated criminals to gain power in the criminal justice system. Therefore, when state officials compromise, strikes are avoided, no unnecessary benefits are given and the cost per prisoner each year does not increase.
The state of California already spends approximately $47,000 per inmate each year. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, a nonpartisan government agency, more than two-thirds of this total consists of security and health care. The rest? That’s set aside for education, vocational training, and substance abuse programs. It would appear that these prisoners already have a wide variety of resources available to them.
Despite the current climate surrounding the prisoners’ strike, our country has made progress in improving their policies on prisoner rights.
Whether or not these gang members realize it, they are guaranteed a certain quality of life, within reasonable penal limits. By striking, they are asking for the comforts of living which many struggle to enjoy even without having committed a serious crime.
Jack Merritt is a sophomore majoring in history.
You are right; inmates should not dictate policy – the public should through the safety net of public safety and sound criminal justice practices. Your article is somewhat vague in your position that the CDCR is overly expensive because of inmates when the truth is there are many other tangible elements that make up that cost. For example, the staffing by unionized officers – the high medical bills imposed due to lack of care in the past and now under federal review – expensive housing assignments by classification of inmates at the most expensive housing assignments – the use of private beds – the limited reforms of prison management in the past and now under federal scrutiny costing millions of dollars more than before.. the list goes on but I can assure you many of these costs were self-inflicted by the CDCR because of poor prison management issues. The inmates are taking advantage of this ride because they can by rule of law and that’s how we end up where we are today.