Writ was written by Joel Brown, and the reason is “retaliation for exercising my protected right to access to Courts.”  The information below has been excerpted from this document and is information on Lockdowns at Calipatria.  It speaks of CDC’s unwritten policy on appeals as “Deny-Deny-Deny.” 

“It was and is easily discernable that CSP-Calipatria staff have engaged in Corcoran like behavior in pitting inmate vs. inmate in gladiator type battles, even after the Corcoran incident was uncovered—showing that it is and was a statewide practice or unwritten policy that has continued until as late as 2000 were a similar incident occurred with an inmate James Crespo, whom now faces or faced a weapon charge because CDC opened his cell door intentionally while other inmates were out unrestrained near his door and he had to defend himself by any means necessary, because it’s common knowledge that this practice goes on.” 

“G. Janda was a lieutenant and Silvia Garcia was Chief Deputy Warden when they allegedly pitted inmates against one another—both have since been promoted to Captain and Warden at Calipatria.  Both have shown blatant animosity in dealing with inmates, and flouted the exposure of the Corcoran shootings and Senator Vasconcellos’ hearings on that matter, and flouted their professional duty to provide for inmate’s welfare and inflicting inhumane or oppressive treatment toward prisoners health and well being; and instead of being removed from office for those allegations, by proper investigative authority, they were promoted.  It’s highly conspicuous that G. Janda and Sgt. Fish which are evidenced in my retaliation claim Exhibits and are both named as defendants in a lawsuit.” 

Judge Ulloa purposely failed to address Ground 2 of the Petition in wanton disregard of human life. . .” 

“I’ve been complaining for years of the meager portions of food served to men by CDC, but have receive no relief.  If I might deem CDC rules changed metaphorically: It’s like poking a tiger in a cage, then under feed that tiger for years, common sense tells you the first change that tigers cage comes open, don’t be surprised if it mauls you for poking and not feeding it.” 

Calipatria Lockdown information, taken from Program Status Reports: 

“On Thursday, July 11, 2002 at approximately 1944 hours an Attempted Murder occurred on a Correctional Officer in Facility “A” Housing Unit A2.  The Correctional Officer received numerous stab wounds and in addition other staff received injuries as a result of this incident.  Facility “A” staff identified five (5) Hispanic inmates who were involved in the Attempted Murder of staff.  Effective Thursday, July 11, 2002, Calipatria State Prison was placed on Lockdown Status pending further investigation into the Attempted Murder of a Correctional Officer.  There will be no inmate movement excluding Minimum Facility.  An unclothed body search will be conducted on all inmates prior to exiting their cells.  All out of cell movement for all races will be handcuffed and escorted.  No Visiting for all inmates, showers will commence every 72 hours for Facility A and C.  Note Facility B African-American and White inmates will continue their current Modified Shower Program, Hispanic/Others will commence shower program effective Sunday, July 14, 2002.  Facility D will continue their current Modified Shower Program.  Facilities A, B, C & D MTA’s will conduct rounds in the housing units.  Effective Friday, July 12, 2002 all Facilities A, B, C & D will commence searches of Program Services, Chapel, Education, Vocation, Gym, Culinary, Housing Units, and Yard #1 and #2, concluding with all common areas.  All Facilities will conduct classification in the housing units.  Administrative staff will review this Lockdown Status Report on Tuesday, July 16, 2002.”  Signed S. Garcia, Warden 

“Effective July 18, 2002, a list of critical workers for culinary, program and clothing room was approved.  Additionally, normal visiting for Whites, Blacks and Others will résumé.  (No Hispanic Visits.)  All out of cell movement for all races will be handcuffed and escorted.  No Visiting for all Hispanics, showers will continue every 72 hours by Third Watch staff for Facility C.  Facilities A, B, C & D MTA’s will conduct rounds in the housing units.  Effective Thursday, July 18, 2002 on Facility “C” a search team was assembled and staff began a thorough and systematic search of Facility “C.”  No classification will be conducted.  Administrative staff will review this Lockdown Status Report on Tuesday, July 23, 2002.”  Signed S. Garcia, Warden 

“On July 11, 2002, an Attempted Murder on a Peace Officer occurred on Facility A.  Facility C searches were completed Sunday, July 21, 2002.  Information gathered by the Investigative Services Unit and by Facility C and D staff has not shown any connection between these facilities and the Facility A incident.  Facility C and D Managers are recommending that effective Tuesday, July 23, 2002, Facility C and D return to normal program status (Feeding and Workers) will résumé in the morning.  Yard will be released at 1300 hours barring no incidents in accordance with established procedures.”  Signed S. Garcia, Warden 

“On Saturday, July 28, 2002 at approximately 1128 hours, an unprovoked battery on staff occurred in Facility B, Housing unit B2, by an African-American Inmate.  Upon review of the circumstances surrounding this case, it appears that this assault was pre-planned. 

Effective Sunday, July 28, 2002, cell feeding will commence for all inmates.  All inmate movement shall be escorted in restraints with an unclothed body search conducted prior to exiting the cell.  Critical workers are authorized, with the above listed restrictions. 

Administrative Staff review of the Modified Programming status will be conducted on Monday, July 29, 2002.” 

“On Sunday, July 28, 2002, a Battery on Staff with Serious Injury occurred on Facility B.  Information gathered by the Investigative Services Unit (ISU) and by Facility C and D staff has not shown any connection between these facilities and the Facility B incident.  Facility C and D Managers are recommending that effective Tuesday, July 30, 2002, Facility C and D return to normal program status (Feeding and Workers) will resume in the morning.  Yard will be released at 1300 hours barring no incidents in accordance with established procedures.”  Signed S. Garcia, Warden. 

“On Monday, July 29, 2002, at approximately 1705 hours, a Battery on a Peace Officer occurred in Housing Unit C-4 by an unknown assailant.  This incident is under investigation and due to this on-going investigation, Facility C is being placed on modified program status.  Interviews by Facility C staff are being conducted.  Showers will commence on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 per the 72-hour rotation.  All inmate movement will be escorted and in handcuffs.  Administrative staff review of the modified program status will be conducted on Tuesday, August 6, 2002.”  Signed S. Garcia, Warden.

Posted on Thu, Aug. 25, 2005  
 

Acting warden removed from SoCal prison after deadly riot

JEREMIAH MARQUEZ
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - The acting warden of a maximum security prison in Southern California was moved to another prison after a riot left one inmate dead and dozens wounded, authorities said Thursday.

The decision to relocate Stuart Ryan had been made hours before the Aug. 18 uprising began at Calipatria State Prison and was unrelated, according to JP Tremblay, assistant secretary for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

"He was not moved as a result of this riot," Tremblay said.

Ryan was reassigned to Ironwood State Prison in Riverside County as chief deputy warden. Repeated messages left at Ironwood were not returned Thursday.

Tremblay said prison officials reassigned Ryan after a "management assessment" of the prison that they began at least a week before the riot.

"The decision was made to bring someone in who could manage that institution, and (Ryan) was moved over into another institution," said Tremblay. He added that prison officials were conducting similar assessments at other facilities.

Tremblay said he could not explain why authorities decided to remove Ryan, who had served as a deputy chief warden at Calipatria before becoming its acting warden. His replacement, George Giurbino, had prior experience as a warden at Centinela State Prison.

Violence erupted at Calipatria, east of San Diego, when a guard was slashed in the head while searching an inmate he suspected of concealing a weapon, officials said.

Prisoners rioted in the exercise yard for about 45 minutes before guards brought them under control. Another group of inmates then jumped into the yard and attacked the staff about 20 minutes later, authorities said.

The slain inmate, Richard Albert Zamora, 33, was shot in the abdomen. About 25 inmates and guards also were injured.

Ryan's last day at Calipatria was last Friday, according to Lt. Ray Madden, a prison spokesman.
 

 http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/13434181p-14275277c.html

Inmate fatally shot, 16 guards hospitalized in Calipatria riot
By DON THOMPSON, Associated Press Writer
Published 7:40 pm PDT Thursday, August 18, 2005

SACRAMENTO (AP) - One inmate was fatally shot in the abdomen and a second was taken by helicopter to a hospital with a head wound as guards quieted a major riot at Calipatria State Prison on Thursday, officials said.

Sixteen correctional officers were taken to outside hospitals, including the initial subject of the attack who was slashed in the head as he tried to search an inmate he suspected of concealing a weapon, said Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

A second officer was struck in the head from behind in the initial struggle. Lance Corcoran, executive vice president of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, said that officer was undergoing a CT scan for "significant injuries," but he and Thornton said the officer was lucid.

All 16 officers were released from the hospital Thursday night, including the two most seriously injured, Corcoran said. Four other officers suffered lesser injuries.

Five inmates were taken to outside hospitals, including the inmate with the head injury, said prison spokesman Lt. Ray Madden. Six more inmates were taken to the prison infirmary and a total of 25 inmates were treated at the prison, he said.

Corcoran said the inmates "attempted to take the unit over. They attempted to breach the control booth. They were throwing brooms and shoving sticks in." He quoted a sergeant saying a tower guard "literally saved their lives today" by firing from a Mini-14 semiautomatic rifle.

Authorities initially said the inmate who was airlifted to a San Diego hospital suffered a gunshot wound, but it was later learned that he suffered a blunt force trauma injury to the head, Madden said. No information was immediately available on his condition.

The fight began shortly before 3 p.m. in a maximum security prison exercise yard, Thornton said. The first officer was stabbed in the head, then kicked on the ground. The second officer in the yard was struck from behind.

The rioting, which involved only Hispanic inmates, took place over a span of about 45 minutes, Madden said. After the initial incident was under control, another group of inmates about 20 minutes later jumped up in the yard and attacked the staff.

"That was under control and then another group attacked staff as they entered the building," Madden said.

The prison in Imperial County east of San Diego houses more than 4,000 inmates of whom more than 3,850 are maximum security. The remainder are minimum security inmates who work around the prison, and were not involved in Thursday's incident.

Ninety inmates were placed in administrative segregation, which means they'll be locked up for 23 hours a day until they have an administrative hearing, Madden said.