Prisoners at Vacaville End 2-Day Work Strike
Prisoners assigned to the metal fabrication plant at the California Medical Facility returned to work Thursday after a two-day shutdown stemming from a dispute over services for the growing prison population.
The plant, which produces beds, shelves and other items for the state’s prisons, was reopened after talks between officials and representatives of disgruntled inmates, prison spokesman Joe McGrath said.
Only five inmates reported for work Tuesday and prison officials closed the plant Wednesday, he said. All 175 prisoners assigned there came to work Thursday morning.
The strike was the second such action this week. Only about 50 of the more than 2,400 inmates housed at the prison’s southern facility showed up for Monday’s evening meal, McGrath said. In addition, 38 inmates assigned to the dining room refused to work.
The actions were taken to protest inconveniences and delays in everyday matters such as getting fresh laundry every week, getting meals and use of the canteen and telephones.
“The conditions are not really good right now because we have a lot of inmates, and we don’t have the facilities to support them,” McGrath said.
He said officials, in talks with the inmates’ representatives, promised to increase laundry, food and canteen privileges.
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