Visitations suspended at 21 state prisons due to rise in violent incidents

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced last week that it has placed all men’s Level III and Level IV facilities – including California Medical Facility and California State Prison, Solano in Vacaville – on a “modified visitor” program in response to a recent and concerning rise in violent incidents directed toward  both staff and prisoners.

The order immediately suspends all visitations and comes on the heels of an increase in overdose cases and findings of contraband, state prison officials said.

In all, 21 state prisons are affected by the restrictions.

A thorough investigation into the recent incidents is currently underway, state officials noted in a press release. Several inmates have died or been killed in recent weeks, though none of the incidents involved either of the Vacaville prisons

Specifically, Corrections officials are investigating seven deaths since the beginning of the year as homicides. Three of those happened the day before the restrictions were announced — one at a Los Angeles County institution on March 7, another the same day at a Sacramento prison and a third hours later at Kern Valley State Prison.

State officials said the modified program will remain in effect until the review is complete but no indication of how long that might take was included.

During the restrictions, inmates will continue to have access to essential services, including medical care, legal proceedings and other critical appointments. All movement within the facilities, including access to showers, will be conducted in a controlled and secure manner, officials said. Inmates assigned to designated Level III facilities may be permitted to dine in the dining halls under controlled conditions. All designated Level IV inmates will have their meals delivered directly to their cells.

Phone access, ViaPath tablet communications and in-person visitation are also suspended.

“CDCR remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety and security of its institutions and is dedicated to protecting the well-being of both staff and those in its custody,” the department stated in a press release.