|
|
| Attack by prison dog revealed |
| By Los Angeles Times |
| Published: 05/17/2004 |
|
California Youth Authority officials revealed May 6 that they were pushing prosecutors to file criminal assault charges against an officer for allowing his police dog to attack an inmate who was not resisting. The episode marks the second time in four months that video cameras have captured possible misconduct by an officer at a troubled youth prison in Stockton. Those who have seen the still-secret tape said it showed the canine officer letting his German shepherd bite a 20-year-old prisoner on the leg, even though the inmate was following orders and lying on the floor. Since the incident, CYA Director Walter Allen III has suspended the use of dogs in juvenile prisons so the animals' role can be reviewed. Although canine teams are mainly employed to hunt for drugs in cells and visiting rooms, CYA regulations allow their use for security and "crowd control." "Because of this incident, it's possible we may move to using dogs only for drug searches," CYA spokeswoman Sarah Ludeman said. Youth and Adult Correctional Secretary Roderick Q. Hickman, who oversees the CYA as well as the state's adult prisons, called the biting episode "disappointing." The episode took place at the N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility, the same Stockton lockup where a pair of counselors were taped punching and kicking two inmates in a January scuffle. In that case, San Joaquin County prosecutors and California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer declined to file charges, saying the likelihood of conviction was slim because the inmates started the fight and suffered only minor injuries. The FBI, however, recently opened an investigation into the beatings, which were televised nationally after the videotape was released by a state senator. The dog attack took place Dec. 30 but was not made public. The videotape has not been released, but officials familiar with the case identified the bitten inmate as Manuel Renteria, 20, of Fresno and said he suffered multiple puncture wounds to the lower leg. Renteria was treated at the facility's infirmary. Ludeman would not comment on the extent of his injuries, his background or any other details of the case. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think