Rise in Inmate Violence Seen in Jail Review : Prisons: Assaults against guards are also up, according to a state corrections official who inspected the Central Men’s facility in Santa Ana.

The results of an inspection of the Central Men’s Jail are expected to show a steady increase in violence among inmates and assaults against guards, according to a state corrections official who toured the facility this week.

Statistics have yet to be compiled from the 3 1/2-day review, but John Pederson, a deputy director with the California Board of Corrections, said Friday that the incidence of violence did not appear to be any more severe than in other comparable jails elsewhere in the state.

Pederson, who was joined by another board official and Denver prison consultant Ray Nelson, also said the violent incidents tended not to involve weapons.

“I wouldn’t want to make any inference that this is worse than any place else,” Pederson said. “The main issue looks to be physical confrontations, fights. It’s more one group attacking another.”

Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Dick Olson said Friday that department officials would not comment on the inspection but would await a final report from the review team.

Results of the study are expected to be filed within the next month to U.S. District Judge Gary Taylor, who is overseeing implementation of a federal court order governing local jail operations.

The inspection was prompted by the decade-long overcrowding problem and recent clashes between Latino and black inmates. Attorney Richard P. Herman, who helped win the court order on behalf of local inmates, actually triggered the inspection after raising his concerns about prison violence to Taylor.

Herman could not be reached for comment Friday, but he had said earlier this week that he was “thrilled” that the team was looking at local jail conditions. He described the inspectors as the “best correctional experts in the country.”

“Anybody can end up in the County Jail,” Herman said. “Folks shouldn’t have to worry about getting injured while they are in there.”

Pederson said the review was mainly centered on conditions within the maximum-security Central Men’s Jail. Inmate population at the jail has averaged about 1,400 in recent weeks, more than 100 over the designated number.

Although the team’s report has not been written, Pederson said the violence in that facility could probably be attributed to a combination of factors, from overcrowding and outdated building design to the presence of jail gangs.

Pederson said the jail design is dominated by linear housing wards, making it more difficult for guards to monitor inmate actions. He said that overcrowding and gang activity can compound the problem.

“Gangs are at issue in this,” Pederson said.