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Joint Hearing on Violence at Folsom Prison - Summary of Hearing Held on June 19, 1985

NCJ Number
105468
Author(s)
V Caponpon; G TagatacKleinberg L
Date Published
1985
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This document summarizes a hearing on the high rate of violence at California's Folsom Prison and steps that could reduce it.
Abstract
Factors in the violence were identified by inmates, scholars, and correctional personnel. These included ethnic/racial tension, gang activities, overcrowding, the inmate classification system, lack of communication between prison administration and inmates, and inadequate work and rehabilitative programming. While recommendations for change varied, there were a number of commonalities. These included calls for more humane treatment of inmates, provision of meaningful work and adequate educational and vocational programs, revision or abolishment of the classification system, and greater communication between inmates and administration. Other recommendations included greater use of inmate transfers, segregation of gangs, institution of more safety measures for staff, and increased use of community-based corrections and release programs. Appendixes provide additional information, including a synopsis of problems and remedies, incident reports, and graphs.