The Region - News from April 24, 1985

A hunger strike that involved at least 34 inmates of the Kern County Jail began to “dwindle down” after its second day, sheriff’s deputies said. The inmates had refused meals to back up their demand that the state attorney general’s office give polygraph tests to jailed suspects to help them prove their innocence, Sheriff’s Lt. Frank Williams said. Williams, the jail watch commander, refused, saying it was up to each defendant’s lawyer to make such a request. However, Sgt. Jim Taylor said that 14 of the 28 men inmates who were protesting had taken supper the second day and “the six women are expected to give up pretty soon.” Doctors were giving daily examinations to each prisoner who refused food.