Sunday, November 11, 2012
"Inmate Shot and Killed at High Desert State Prison" by Hailey Branson-Potts
In the Los Angeles Times, Hailey Branson-Potts wrote an article about an inmate who was shot and killed at High Desert State Prison. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, guards shot and killed the twenty three year old inmate during his attack on another inmate. The fight occurred between three men, two inmates including the one who was killed, attacked another inmate in the maximum-security yard. The two knocked the other to the ground and began kicking his head and stabbing him with a weapon they had made themselves. As the attacking was going on, an officer shot one of the attackers with a state issued Mini -14 rifle, and the attacker was pronounced dead, at 11:17 a.m. Friday. The attacker that died had been serving a 82 years-to life sentence, for first degree murder. The victim that as being attacked was twenty nine years old, and is being treated for stab and slash wounds and injuries to the head. The other inmate, twenty nine, that was helping with the attack was not injured, and is serving a life sentence without parole for first degree murder. Authorities are holding the names of the inmates, and are doing further investigation. "The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and other authorities are investigating the use of deadly force."(LA Times) Last month, another incident like this happened, a man was shot and wounded for an attack on another inmate. On October 31, a 36 year old man was shot in the right hip. He and two others were beating up another inmate, and the guard ordered them to stop, but as they continued the guard fired two shots. Many incidents liked his happen in jail, maybe there needs to be more supervision for the inmates, especially in the yard, where many arguments can start.
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I agree with you Rosemary, there needs to be supervision in jail at all times. It is not surprising that this is took place in jail because it is filled with people stated above. The prisoner deserved his punishment because he almost beat another man to death, not realizing that he is already in jail serving a punishment for another wrong doing. I guess since he had to serve a life time in jail, he felt as if it did not matter if he died or not.
ReplyDeleteThe inmates that attacked the twenty nine year old were behind bars for the rest of their lives. Eighty two years to life without parole cancels every little hope of being let free. They committed murder and what they did in prison is nothing to them. As Anna said, it did not matter what he did because he was already in jail. There Should be more security, but you cannot control all the prisoners no matter how much security their is. After all, they are all in their for committing a horrible crime, and something like this is bound to happen. It seems as if the security officer came right on time to shoot the inmate, and save the life of the inmate that was being attacked!
ReplyDeleteIf someone is put into jail, it may be safe for those outside of the jail, but may not for those in jail. Supervision should be considered and not only for a limited time, but twenty four seven. People are put in jail to prevent them from repeating the actions they did outside of jail. If they are going to do the same mistakes from before in jail, then there is no point for them to be there. Hurting more people will not do any good. Events such as these, should come to the attention of those working in jails. They need to take a step further and start to have stricter rules for jail. After all it is a punishment for those who have gone against the laws and not some joke that should repeat the same incidents that happened outside of jail.
ReplyDeleteThe probable cause of such a rational decision to violate prison laws was probably caused by the prisoner's anger and self issues. However, that does not give them the right to channel their negative energy on a different inmate. I believe that the jail is responsible though, because they did not notice the inmates making a weapon. Also, I believe killing a prisoner should be the last option when it comes to moments like this. They should have used every possible option such as pepper spray, or trying to break up the fight before they decided to kill them. I wonder why the two inmates had an issue with the victim... Great job on the article Rose!
ReplyDeleteInmates fighting is terrible especially if both sides are in jail for life because they have committed a critical crime. However, I slightly disagree with your proposal that there should be more supervision ONLY because that will never stop inmates from attacking each other. The reason for my modest disagreement is that the number of inmates is way higher than the number of people serving supervision in the prisons. No matter how strictly they secure the prison, if inmates decide to attack they will do it and not fear anything because they have no hope of being free. Therefore, they have nothing to lose. Regardless, i think if after several warnings the fight does not stop, the security should shoot in the air first and then at the inmates only if they still continue.
ReplyDeleteCriminals are taken to jail to become punished and learn from their mistakes. Most do get punished but not all learn from their mistakes. Instead, they grow more angry and take their anger out on other inmates. Prisons need to be more careful and supervised of their prisoners, in order the avoid further crimes. The guards have no fault in situations like this, because they need to do all they can in protecting all of them. Prisons should, however, have more protection and in situations like this stop inmates from committing more crimes, relax them, and move them into other rooms or departments.
ReplyDeletePrisons are not only a way to punish a person for their crimes, but also a correctional facility. Meaning that a person learns from their mistakes as well. However, not all people learn from their mistakes, especially those who are in prison for life. They think to themselves, "Why should I 'learn from my mistakes' if I'm going to be in here forever?" and continue to do the same thing. As tragic as this incident is, it is not surprising. Although, the security should definitely be maximized and improved.
ReplyDeleteI am not astonished as to the crime that was committed in prison by the three inmates. As criminals, the inmates are senseless and show no remorse when fighting and murdering several innocent victims. Being knowledgeable of the increased crime rate in prison, guards should have more control and authority of the life threatening events that take place in the facility and maintain the required “peace” and order in prison.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate how often events such as this take place. More preventative measures must be taken in order for this not to happen. Why is it that an inmate with a 82 years to life sentence for first degree murder has access to tools with which he can make a shank? It is up to the prison administration to prevent these tragic occurrences by managing their prison more properly. What these inmates have done to put them inside a maximum-security prison is enough. It should not continue inside the confined walls of the prison.
ReplyDelete