Inmate Hunger Strike, Day 9: Supporters Gather For Rally

SAN JOSE, CA — Family members and friends of Santa Clara County inmates taking part in the third hunger strike since 2016 planned to rally out of support and concern for their loved ones Monday, the ninth day of the protest, according to a local advocacy group organizer.

Community members were set to gather at 6 p.m. on the corner of West Hedding Street and North San Pedro Street just outside of the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose "in hopes that the jail administration and/or Sheriff Laurie Smith will engage with participating hunger strikers," the coalition Prisoners United of Silicon Valley said in a statement.

Those participating in the hunger strikes at both the Main Jail and the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas have not ordered food from the commissary and many have not ordered canteens since April 15.

The inmates are protesting the fact that their concerns regarding the inmate classification system, solitary confinement issues, how grievances are filed and access to sanitary surroundings have not been settled.

Silicon Valley De-Bug organizer Jose Valle is in close contact with inmates and their family members through the group Silicon Valley De-Bug and reported last Tuesday that the fourth, fifth and seventh floors of the main jail were participating in the strike.

He said Monday that more than 200 detainees are striking.

Some strikers have lost up to 22 pounds since the efforts began, Valle said. He issued a statement on behalf of the inmates that mentioned symptoms they are experiencing, including dizzy spells, massive headaches and
stomach cramps.

A recorded call from an unnamed detainee at one of the Santa Clara County jails was posted to Silicon Valley De-Bug's YouTube channel. The man states that he is not being monitored properly under the conditions of a
hunger strike.

"I am not being weighed nor checked for dehydration," the man says on the recording. "I am not able to focus on simple things, daily tasks and I have extremely low energy.

The inmate in the recording said he is participating in the hunger strike due to "unequal application of policy which has resulted in discrimination and unfair treatment by the administration."

He goes on to blame Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith specifically and alleges that she is responsible for the inception of the strike.

Since Saturday, the coalition of prisoners has been assessing each day whether or not they will continue to strike. However, they said they were prepared to strike for another seven days or until negotiations are offered.

Santa Clara County sheriff's officials have acknowledged the strike and called it "an unproductive negotiating tactic for change."

Last Tuesday, the sheriff's office said custody improvements and reforms would continue as scheduled irrespective of the protest. They believe that the hunger strike was "instigated by a select few individuals."

Valle struck back at the statement, saying that inmates had no desire to go without food or risk their health.

"When someone chooses to go on a hunger strike, it's their last straw," he said. "It should show how much of a concern this really is."

Sheriff's officials said medical staff would evaluate all participants during the duration of the strike.

The sheriff's office was not immediately available today for an updated comment on the strike.

By Bay City News Service

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