Facilities Pelican Bay State Prison

1 facilities

1.1 alleged psychological effect
1.2 hunger strikes
1.3 lawsuit , termination of unlimited isolation policy

facilities

pelican bay opened in 1989. pelican bay s grounds , operations physically divided. half of prison holds level iv (maximum security) inmates in general population (gp) environment outside exercise courts , yards. other half of prison contains prisons best-known feature: x-shaped cluster of white buildings , barren ground known security housing unit, or shu. electric fence surrounds entire perimeter.

the 8-by-10-foot (2.4 m × 3.0 m) cells of shu made of smooth, poured concrete perforated cell fronts , doors. there no windows located within cells. instead, there fluorescent lights, inmates can control. shu inmates confined assigned cells twenty-two hours day, looking out through perforated steel door @ solid concrete wall. food delivered correctional officers twice day (breakfast, sack lunch, , dinner), through slot in cell door.

each of twenty-two housing units located in shu has armed correctional officer in control booth. control booths located in center of each housing unit. control officer can view 6 pods in housing unit, or central vantage point. control officer controls doors throughout housing unit, contains 6 pods. each pod contains 8 cells. officer can supervise release of inmates assigned housing unit. control officer can allow one, or 2 inmates, if cell mates (cellies), out of assigned cell shower or exercise. inmates allowed exercise ten hours of court-mandated, outdoor exercise per week. exercise takes place in concrete yard, extends length of 3 cells, , has roof partially open sky.

alleged psychological effect

inmates, lawyers, , prisoner advocate groups have argued confinement in shu cruel , unusual punishment, due severe conditions. contrary popular belief, shu not composed of solitary confinement cells. inmates housed in same pod can talk each other , see each other when released assigned cells. shu consists of twenty-two housing units, 6 pods per housing unit , 8 cells per pod. psychiatrists , psychologists support inmates housed in shu have described shu syndrome , condition which, say, affects inmates spend more few months in isolation. symptoms reportedly resemble of post-traumatic stress disorder, including hallucinations, depression, anxiety, anger, , suicide. cause of of these symptoms isolation; shu inmates experience isolation 22 hours day limited human contact other receiving meals through slot in cell door.

hunger strikes

pbsp, shu prisoners have organized hunger strikes in protest of conditions there, chiefly punishment of solitary confinement. in 2002, reported 60 shu inmates began hunger strike.

another hunger strike reported have begun on july 1, 2011. california department of corrections , rehabilitation (cdcr) reported less 2 dozen refusing food. prisoner hunger strike solidarity coalition reported close 100% participation in shu on first day, strike spreading pelican bay general population on second day. coalition reported strike had spread corcoran , folsom prisons, on 100 prisoners participating. cdcr subsequently stated 6,600 inmates had refused food in first days of strike, , after 5 days, more 2,000 remained on strike. inmates reportedly consumed food purchased canteen; however, others refusing food stated intention strike indefinitely. shu prisoner mutop duguya stated, no 1 wants die. yet under current system of amounts intense torture, choice have? if 1 die, on our own terms.

on july 8, 2013, inmates resumed july 2011 hunger strike, due alleged broken promises , cruel conditions, upwards of 29,000 prisoners across california joining in hunger strike. these conditions end group punishment , administrative abuse, abolish debriefing policy, , modify active/inactive gang status criteria, comply commission on safety , abuse in america s prisons 2006 recommendations regarding end long-term solitary confinement, provide adequate , nutritious food, expand , provide constructive programing , privileges indefinite shu status inmates. end group punishment , administrative abuse demand result of individual inmates rule violations.

abolish debriefing policy, , modify active/inactive gang status criteria demand result of gang members being placed in isolation. comply commission on safety , abuse in america s prisons 2006 recommendations regarding end long-term solitary confinement demand in response prisoners not being able engage in meaningful self-help treatments or have contact anyone. provide adequate , nutritious food demand in response prisoners using food excuse punish inmates. last demand of expand , provide constructive programming , privileges indefinite shu status inmates in response prisoners mistreatment. examples stated demand getting photos, weekly phone calls, packages, more tv, , expand visiting time.

lawsuit , termination of unlimited isolation policy

in may 2012, california s prison system faced lawsuit center constitutional rights, legal services inmates children, , other california attorneys on behalf of ten men incarcerated in shu. plaintiffs housed in shu 11 22 years, having been transferred directly other shus. suit claims inmates have been incarcerated california’s pelican bay state prison s security housing unit ( shu ) unconscionably long period of time without meaningful review of placement , california s uniquely harsh regime of prolonged solitary confinement @ pelican bay inhumane , debilitating , , [t]he solitary confinement regime @ pelican bay violates united states constitution s requirement of due process , prohibition of cruel , unusual punishment .

in august, 2015, result of aforementioned class-action lawsuit, california agreed end unlimited isolation policy. inmates no longer isolated preventive measure; commit new crimes while incarcerated eligible 5 years of isolation. since lawsuit s settlement, hundreds of inmates had served years in pelican bay s shu have been transferred other prisons , doing time in general population settings.