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Hostility and violence between Hispanic and Black inmates of the LA County Jail has caused for racial segregation to take place. The death of two black men occurred as a result to brawls occurred among the two ethnic groups. To relieve tensions between the two groups, the LA County Jail has racially separated the inmates into different cells and revoked their privileges, which include receiving visitors and mail, watching TV, and participating in recreational activities. The prisoners are only allowed to leave their cell to eat, shower, and appear in court. Clergy members have also been called in to talk to inmates and calm them down. The violence spread to a San Bernardino County, as 13 were hurt when inmates slashed one another with razor blades while on a bus. The inmates were being transferred from the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga to the Central Courthouse in San Bernardino, which is located 60 miles east of Los Angeles. However, segregation has been enforced only at LA County Jail at this time. Officials from the jail say the segregation will only be temporary until the hostility dies down. Nearly 80 percent of the inmates are affiliated with gangs. However, many of the inmates refuse to participate in the racial brawls, but they would be at risk for a beating if they refused to stand up for their ethnic identity. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the racial segregation of prisoners to be illegal, except for “extraordinary” circumstances. At this time, lawyers and civil rights activists agree that the separating the inmates is not violating the Supreme Court rule.
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