Posted on February 27, 2006

San Quentin Prison On Lockdown After Racially Charged Riot

AP, Feb. 25, 2006

SAN QUENTIN, Calif. — About 1,800 inmates at California’s San Quentin State Prison are on lockdown after a racially motivated riot.

Officials say about 40 Hispanic and black inmates began fighting in the exercise yard Saturday afternoon following a Black History Month event.

A prison spokesman calls it a “planned assault” by the Hispanic prisoners. One inmate was injured and at least four homemade knives were found.

Earlier this month, 16 inmates were injured in another racially motivated riot at San Quentin, in which prisoners used weapons made from razors, pens and bed springs.

More than 100 inmates have been injured and two killed in a series of racially motivated brawls this month in the Los Angeles County jail system.