My hometown, Chino, is known for its prison.
This past summer, the California Institution for Men had a massive riot between groups of inmates. The riots reflect the dismal situation the California penal system is in. While it may be an easy issue to ignore, we must recognize growing problems within the California prison system. A lack of emphasis on prisons in the past will soon have to be remedied with large amounts of money and an early release of prisoners. Although we are in an extreme budget crunch, we need to have a justice system that is well-equipped to handle the number of prisoners convicted and sentenced to jail time ““ for their sake and ours.
In August, federal judges ruled that California’s prison system was not providing adequate health care for prisoners and that the prisons were overcrowded. As a result, they mandated that 40,000 prisoners be released within the next two years. According to the court ruling, California has one of the highest preventable death rates in prisons of all states. The state has not been providing an adequate number of guards for such a large prison population. These inadequacies have led to one unnecessary death per week and an overwhelming expense of $14,000 per inmate.
With such dangerous conditions for prisoners and guards, the courts are forced to rule that prisoners must be released. California, or any state for that matter, cannot afford to let prisoners be released to roam the streets. While it may cost a large amount of money, it is necessary that California increase health, safety and living standards so that our prisons can fulfill the purpose for which they were created.
During that massive Chino riot this summer, more than 250 people were injured, and 55 were hospitalized. The riot lasted 11 hours, one living area was destroyed by fire, and others were also heavily damaged. The riot’s length and terrible damage give a clear-cut example of prison inadequacies. Too many prisoners were in too small of a space with too few guards. There were 5,900 people being held in facilities meant only for 3,000. Not only are the conditions dangerous for the guards but the prisoners as well. While they may have committed wrongs against society, we have a duty to provide adequate and safe prisons.
Overcrowding and understaffing are not just dangerous for prisoners and guards, but the costs of damages are a waste of taxpayer dollars. Instead of spending money to upgrade facilities, we relocate inmates and repair highly damaged facilities. If we do not work now to upgrade our prison infrastructure, we risk more riots or incidents that could end in tragedy.
California, instead of taking measures to improve the prison system, has put off handling mounting problems and court warnings so long that the release of prisoners is now a legal mandate by the U.S. District Courts. Even after the federal court decision, the state decided to ask the Supreme Court to delay the lower court’s order of releasing the prisoners. The Supreme Court denied this request.
California has simply ignored the problem too long. Now, we are left in a bind, forced to release inmates and still left with woeful prison facilities that cannot handle the sheer number of prisoners. If we do not act now, we will not only be left with too few prisons, but more prisoners and more prisoner releases.
This state has a duty to keep criminals behind bars. Without adequate resources, prisons will not be able to accept and keep large amounts of prisoners. Our state legislators must act now to stop neglecting the system that keeps our streets safe and our society running. If this prison problem isn’t remedied, California will be denying justice to victims who were wronged and will not be punishing those who committed wrongs. Above the problem of safety is the deeper moral issue of fairness and equity. If we do not enforce laws and set punishment that is set down by statute, then we are not upholding the standards of our justice system.
Of course all of this improvement and change will cost a large sum of money. Looking at the alternative of allowing prisoners to go free, there is no other decision to make. While making the budget, we have to realize that prisons should be among the highest priorities of the state, not something to be ignored.
When you now drive by the Chino prison, you pass through Manuel Gonzalez Drive. In 2005, guard Manuel Gonzalez was stabbed to death by an inmate. Gonzalez’s family sued the state, citing a lack of protective vests and adequate holding of the inmate, and eventually settled. The prison, in settling, agreed that there are defects in the system. Lawsuits and settlements aside, a guard died. This situation should not only serve as a statistic but also as a reminder that we cannot ignore this problem any longer.
Ultimately, an increase in funding for California state prisons shouldn’t be merely debated, it must be enacted. Adequate protection for guards and prisoners isn’t an option; it is a necessity that will ensure not only their safety but our own.
E-mail Feeney at dfeeney@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.