Revuelta carcelaria deja varios heridos

23 09 2009

Reos de la prisión de Avenal utilizan bastones y andadores como armas

FRESNO. – Los presos en una prisión de California fueron recluidos en sus celdas ayer mientras los administradores investigaban los disturbios en los que participaron pandillas rivales de latinos y por los que 24 prisioneros fueron enviados a distintos hospitales, uno de ellos en estado grave.

Los prisioneros de la Prisión Estatal Avenal usaron bastones, andadores y apoya-pies de sillas de ruedas para golpearse entre sí en la noche del lunes. Los presos más gravemente heridos sufrieron lesiones por perforaciones y cortes, aunque ninguna de las lesiones implicaba riesgo de vida.

« Todavía estamos intentando saber exactamente por qué estaban peleando », dijo el teniente Doug Snell, portavoz de la prisión. « Todavía hay un desorden terrible ».

Fueron necesarias 16 ambulancias provenientes de cuatro condados para transportar los lesionados a cinco hospitales.

La pelea ocurrió unas seis semanas después de que 175 prisioneros fueron lesionados en la Institución para Hombres de California en Chino en disturbios provocados por motivos raciales que dejaron siete áreas inhabitables y que obligaron a transferir a 1,100 prisioneros.

Avenal, construida en 1986 en el sur del Valle Central, es una prisión de seguridad media en la que se permite a los prisioneros vivir en dormitorios en vez de en celdas. Solamente uno de los seis complejos de alojamiento participó en la pelea.

Los disturbios comenzaron en el patio del Edificio 5, donde se alojan 1,026 de los 6,395 prisioneros, y se extendieron de inmediato por el interior de tres de los cuatro dormitorios. Dos horas más tarde, cuando los funcionarios de la prisión estaban poniendo orden, comenzó una pelea en el cuarto dormitorio, dijo Snell.

Participaron al menos 193 prisioneros. Los funcionarios de la prisión confiscaron 30 armas.

« Es algo muy significativo y muy preocupante », dijo Terry Thornton, portavoz del Departamento de Correccionales de California.

Todos los programas fueron suspendidos mientras los funcionarios de la prisión trabajan para transferir a los presos que participaron en los disturbios a diferentes edificios. Los participantes en la pelea serán acusados de participar en disturbios o los casos serán enviados a la Oficina del Procurador del Distrito del Condado Kings para ser considerados, informó Snell.

« Incidentes de este tipo desplazan a muchos de los prisioneros », dijo. « Después de grandes disturbios no es posible alojarlos juntos nuevamente ».

No se han publicado los nombres de los lesionados. Siete prisioneros continúan internados en hospitales y bajo vigilancia. Se obligará a los prisioneros a colaborar con la limpieza, dijo Snell.

Una de las mayores dificultades a la que se enfrentan las autoridades de las prisiones es mantener la paz entre pandillas rivales.

El 7 de septiembre, al menos 21 miembros de pandillas latinas rivales del norte y del sur se enfrentaron en Avenal, y el 15 de agosto hubo una pelea más grande entre prisioneros hispanos y afroamericanos.

Calif. inmates turn canes, walkers into weapons

22 septembre 2009

FRESNO, Calif. — A California prison was under lockdown Tuesday as administrators investigated a riot involving rival Latino gangs that sent 24 inmates to hospitals, one in serious condition.

Inmates at Avenal State Prison used canes, walkers and foot rests from wheelchairs to beat each other Monday night. The most seriously injured inmates suffered puncture and slash wounds, none life-threatening.

« Exactly what they were fighting over, we’re still trying to figure that out, » said Lt. Doug Snell, prison spokesman. « It’s still a big mess. »

It took 16 ambulances responding from four counties to carry the injured to five hospitals.

The melee came about six weeks after 175 inmates were injured at the California Institution for Men in Chino in a racially motivated riot that left seven housing areas uninhabitable and forced the transfer of 1,100 inmates.

Avenal, built in 1986 in the southern Central Valley, is a medium-security prison where inmates have earned the right to live in dormitories instead of cells. Only one of the six housing complexes was involved.

The fight began in the yard of Facility 5, where 1,026 of the prison’s 6,395 inmates are housed, then immediately spread inside three of the four dormitories. Two hours later, as prison officials were cleaning up, fighting broke out in the fourth dorm, Snell said.

At least 193 inmates were involved. Prison officials confiscated 30 weapons.

« That’s very significant, and it’s very troubling, » said Terry Thornton, spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections.

All programs have been suspended as prison officials work to transfer fighting inmates to different facilities. Those involved will either be charged with participation in a riot, or the cases will be referred to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for consideration, Snell said.

« Incidents like this displace a lot of inmates, » he said. « After a major riot there’s no way to put them back together again. »

The names of the injured have not been released. Seven remained hospitalized and under guard. The inmates will be required to help with the cleanup, Snell said.

One of the biggest challenges facing prison authorities is keeping peace between rival prison gangs.

On Sept. 7 at least 21 rival north-south Latino gang members fought at Avenal, and on Aug. 15 a larger fight erupted between Hispanic and African American inmates.

Avenal prison on lockdown after multiple fights

The Associated Press

09/22/2009

AVENAL, Calif.—Avenal State Prison is under lockdown as administrators investigate a series of fights between rival Latino gangs that sent 24 inmates to area hospitals, one in serious condition.

Spokeswoman Terry Thornton of the California Department of Corrections says the fights began around 8:30 p.m. Monday in the yard of Facility 5, one of six dormitory complexes on the prison grounds. By 10:30 p.m., fights had erupted in four of the dormitories.

Prison officials confiscated 30 makeshift weapons—most of them canes, walkers and foot rests from wheelchairs used by inmates in the low-to-medium-security prison in the southern Central Valley.

Inmates are being confined to their dorms while the staff assesses damage.

Eleven of the injured inmates are still hospitalized.

Huge Gang Riot Erupts at Avenal State Prison

http://www.kmjnow.com

23 septembre 2009

By Margaret Carrero

Nearly a dozen inmates remain hospitalized today following a massive gang riot that broke out Monday night at Avenal State Prison.

Prison spokesperson Lieutenant Doug Snell says they have confirmed that 193 inmates were involved in the riots that took place between two rival Hispanic gangs.

Snell says the first outburst happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. followed by a second uprising about two hours later.

In all, two dozen prisoners were taken to outside hospitals for treatment of injuries that vary in severity, although Snell would not go into detail about their wounds.

No guards or staff were injured in the melee.

Snell says the inmates used just about anything as weapons from self-made knives, also known as « shanks », to clubs, wheelchair parts, and canes.

At least 30 handmade weapons have been confiscated.

This is the second riot to occur at Avenal in the past two weeks.

One prisoner was wounded in a riot between 21 inmates earlier this month.

~ par Alain Bertho sur 23 septembre 2009.

Publié dans émeutes, riots