Pelican Bay Conditions

This is in response to the Jan. 18 Peter King column about the Pelican Bay State Prison Security Housing Unit, which failed to point out key facts and thus was misleading to your readers.

In his ruling U.S. District Judge Thelton E. Henderson recognized the need for a security housing unit to segregate dangerous predators and refused to close the unit.

Judge Henderson wrote in his ruling that he does not mean to imply that all correctional staff at Pelican Bay engage in excessive or unnecessary force for the purpose of causing harm. Judge Henderson recognized in his ruling that many Pelican Bay personnel are committed to performing their jobs in a conscientious and professional manner.

I share the judge’s concern over many conditions that existed early in the operation of Pelican Bay and that exist no longer. While the number of instances of inmate abuse is small compared with the thousands of inmates that have been housed at Pelican Bay, one example of excessive force is one too many. The incidents Judge Henderson cited are not acceptable behavior in this department. We have fired and prosecuted staff for using excessive force. While it is a small number of staff that violate California Department of Corrections rules and the law, their illegal and unjustified actions stain the professional reputation of all correctional staff. Changes will be made at the management and staff level, including investigations, that will ensure this behavior is not tolerated and is eliminated.

Since I took over as director in April, 1991, I have made it a priority to improve medical and mental-health care throughout the prison system. Substantial improvements have been made at Pelican Bay and elsewhere, and more improvements are included in this year’s budget and in long-range plans. The appropriate use of force is a major concern to which I have insisted management pay considerable attention. I instituted a new policy that adds restrictions on the use of lethal force.

I recognize Judge Henderson’s concern about our commitment to ensure that inmate abuse will not to be tolerated. I welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that the Department of Corrections is committed to operating Pelican Bay as a safe and humane institution for both inmates and staff.

JAMES H. GOMEZ

Director of Corrections

Sacramento