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UTAH STATE PRISON — Forty-two inmates participating in a hunger strike at the Utah State Prison saw some of their privileges taken away Tuesday in a show of discipline by prison staff.
Lost privileges vary on a case-by-case basis, but the removed privileges for participating inmates include confiscated televisions and commissary food from their cells, curtailed personal television access, and restrictions on spending for food and other items at the prison, said Utah Department of Corrections spokeswoman Brooke Adams.
The inmates, all of whom are gang members, began their strike Friday by asking for the relocation of some gang leaders within the prison in addition to other accomadations.
The American Civil Liberties Union in Utah has voiced its support for the inmates' strike, saying their living conditions in Uinta 2 maximum-security housing are "extreme" and calling those conditions the main cause of the protest. Adams responded Monday by characterizing the prisoners' behavior as an attempt to intimidate prison staff and disturb daily routines at the facility.
Some inmates who were disciplined Tuesday for their role in the hunger strike reacted with unruly and even violent outbursts, Adams alleged in a prepared statement released Tuesday evening. Three inmates reportedly caused their cells to flood by breaking sprinklers, covered up their cell windows and refused to submit to handcuffs so officers could enter their cells. Two others allegedly began fighting inside their cell.
"The five inmates involved in these incidents are being moved to the prison's highest security unit as a result of destruction of property, fighting and failure to follow orders," Adams said in her statement.
Adams called the hunger strike a "disturbance" and said the punishments dealt out are a typical response to possible threats at the prison.
"We are grateful for and appreciate our officers and other employees who are on the frontline trying to manage and resolve this difficult situation," she said.
We are grateful for and appreciate our officers and other employees who are on the frontline trying to manage and resolve this difficult situation.
–Brooke Adams, Utah Department of Corrections
Several inmates gathered large reserve of commissary food before the hunger strike started Friday and, according to cell checks performed by prison staff, have been eating those items in their cells. Adams said another 16 inmates received commissary orders in their cells Monday. She didn't return calls from the Deseret News on Tuesday seeking comment about whether confiscated commissary items were a method to end the strike more quickly, or specifically how much food was seized from prisoners' cells.
Four of the striking inmates reportedly consented to breakfast trays Tuesday. Two others with health conditions accepted nutritional drinks.
Medical staff, including mental health workers, continue to check on the inmates to the extent the prisoners will allow them to, "though the participants have largely refused health checks," Adams said.
She also reiterated that the Department of Corrections has considered over a period of months how to better classify inmates, allow them more time in common areas and offer more prison programs to maximum security prisoners, all in an effort to "revise restrictive housing policies.
"That work continues despite the unproductive action these inmates have taken," Adams said.
