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| Calif. Inmate Lockdown Due to Budget Cuts |
| By Los Angeles Daily News |
| Published: 06/10/2003 |
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State prison inmates are being confined to their cells around the clock in an effort to reduce officers' overtime pay and keep the prison's budget deficit from escalating further. As of last week, with a month remaining in the fiscal year, the Lancaster prison's budget deficit was estimated at about $1.9 million. Officials said layoffs, pay cuts or elimination of inmate programs could be necessary if next year's budget is cut. 'The administration of this institution is aware of the responsibility we have to the public and the inmates who are under our care,' said prison spokesman Lt. Ken Lewis. 'We are aware of the possibilities of anticipated layoffs, loss of positions, potential pay reductions, program cuts and contract cancellations.' The lockdown -- called a 'modified program' by prison officials -- was put in place June 4 and is expected to remain until June 30, the end of the fiscal year. It could end before the end of the month if next year's budget is approved with more funding, officials said. Officials say the inmates were told they were being kept in their cells because of the state budget. They do not get to use the prison exercise yards and must eat their meals in their cells. 'They were all notified as to why we had to do this,' Lewis said. 'We're not keeping them in the dark about this.' Officers have since complained that the lockdown means they aren't getting the overtime pay many rely on. 'Overtime is not something that's guaranteed, but several officers do count on overtime to make ends meet,' Lewis said. Officers also complained that the lockdown angers the inmates and makes the officers' job more difficult. 'Anytime you have idle minds, more mischief is going to happen,' Lewis said. 'We have so far been successful in controlling that mischief, however.' Inmates still receive medical and dental services, visits, mail and packages. Inmates who perform vital jobs, such as the central kitchen staffers, are let out of their cells to work. Inmate programs liable for future cutbacks include Alcoholics Anonymous groups, assistance for inmates working on high school or college courses, and arts programs, officials said. |
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