STOPPING INMATE ABUSE IN PRISON SYSTEM

It is heartening to finally see concrete response to last year's
shocking revelations of inmate abuse in the state's prison system.

Earlier this month, prison wardens were sent to a summit on the new
use-of-force policy that goes into effect April 1. Under the new
rules, guards can no longer use high-powered rifles to break up
fist-fights. The wardens, who will take what they learned back to the
guards, went through a two-day training session.

It's a good start, but more is needed.

Between 1994 and 1998, 12 inmates in maximum security prisons were
fatally shot, and 32 were injured by guards using gunfire to stop
fights. In the rest of the country during the same period, six
prisoners were shot and killed while trying to escape. At Corcoran
State Prison, an independent panel found that deadly force was not
justified In 24 of 31 inmate shootings between 1989 to 1995.

It's been acknowledged that California's prisons have a huge problem,
one that's going to take more than individual training sessions to
solve.

On Tuesday, a bill sponsored by state Sen. Richard K. Rainey, R-Walnut
Creek, that would increase training for prison guards from six to 24
weeks goes before the Senate Public Safety Committee.

David Quintana, a Republican consultant to that committee, said the
bill has gotten much support, but could run into problems because of
its cost - an estimated $500,000 for every extra week of training.

That's a lot of money, but Quintana says the state has been paying
tens of millions of dollars to settle wrongful death clams with the
families of prisoners. In one recent case, a jury awarded $2.3
million to the family of a inmate shot to death by a guard trying to
break up fight at San Quentin.

Beyond the monetary cost is the cost in human lives and safety 96 of
both guards and prisoners.

"I don't think we can afford not to have it," Quintana said, and we
agree.

Increased training will help make the new use-of--force policies work.
At the recent summit on the new rules, prison guard representatives
grumbled that correctional officers are now being asked to make split
(second) decision about whether or not to use force, and worried that
they wouldn't have the expertise.

More training could help provide that expertise. It would also,
Quintana said give guards an opportunity to learn more about criminal
and civil law and the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse -
things they don't have ample, or any, time to cover now.

It's ludicrous that those who watch over the country's largest prison
population have less than two months of training. It's time for a change.

Training summits are important and useful. But much more is needed.
Rainy's bill should pass and Gov. Davis should sign it.