Just heard on the news there was a riot of 150 inmates. Several were taken to the hospital including 1 correctional officer.

I think they said it was building 17 which had been on lock down due to racial tension anyway. The riot was a racial flare up - black/white.

That is all I know at this point.

:(

Just looked and nothing reported yet...

OTAY MESA – Five inmates were injured in a prison fight Tuesday at R.J. Donovan prison , a prison spokeswoman said.

The riot between roughly 35 inmates started suddenly in the prison's reception yard near its front entrance at 12:15 p.m., pitting white inmates against black inmates, said Kim Seibel, a spokeswoman for the prison. No guards or other employees were injured, she added.

Guards quickly broke up the fight and later recovered several weapons from the yard, Seibel said. However, she said she was unable to describe the weapons.
Prison officials were investigating what caused the fight and put the facility in lockdown. The conditions of the injured were described as serious but stable.
Donovan's warden, Robert J. Hernandez, declined comment and referred all questions to Seibel.
The inmates involved in the fight were from housing unit 17, Seibel said, and had all recently been transferred to Donovan from various county jails and were being “processed,” to begin serving their sentences at the prison.
The prison has a total of 4,386 male inmates. Seibel said riots have been relatively rare at Donovan, but she did not have details about when the most recent incident happened, nor how many inmates were injured.

My loved one is in one of the RC buildings, I won't get any direct news for 4 to 5 days by snail mail. :banghead:

Has anyone received phone calls since this event, is the rest of the place back to normal? :confused:
Will visitation this week-end be on schedule or cancelled? :confused:
Should we call on Friday... make that Thursday, (cuz they don't answer the phone on Friday) to see if visits are allowed? :idea:

Definately call first! My understanding is the whole prison was in lockdown. That could change by this weekend, but a riot this big to send people to the hospital, and from what I hear, one was a CO, they might be in lockdown for a while. I have a friend in SD who is keeping me posted on what she hears.

My loved one is in one of the RC buildings, I won't get any direct news for 4 to 5 days by snail mail. :banghead:

Has anyone received phone calls since this event, is the rest of the place back to normal? :confused:
Will visitation this week-end be on schedule or cancelled? :confused:
Should we call on Friday... make that Thursday, (cuz they don't answer the phone on Friday) to see if visits are allowed? :idea:

On San Diego local news today the prison spokesperson, (Seibel) used a two-word terminology to indicate the status for the next two weeks.(sorry, didn't catch the wording.)

It refers to the prison being on (what we would refer to as) lockdown of a sort, for the next two weeks during which time every cell has to be taken apart and searched for weapons. After that I don't know if it goes to continued lockdown of the entire prison or specific areas. Maybe it depends on what is found and what area or areas.

Donovan is in the process of moving inmates to other facilities, (I think); probably to do with the 5,000 who are being shipped out of state. Ask Arnold how that's all supposed to work out. Tonight the news reports said there were 35 inmates involved, new inmates who I believe have been sent from local jails to begin serving sentences.

I don't believe the CO who was taken to the hospital was injured in the riot itself but it was the cause of him being taken to hospital. That CO is reported to have blood pressure.

A CO on the news explained quite a bit about the riot itself. Well, compared to the little that is usually put out in the media. He said there were 35 inmates in that specific yard and only 5 CO's. And that the CO's carry only sticks and pepper spray in the yard. There is one CO in the Tower and that Tower CO (I think I heard this from that report) used rubber bullets trying to break it up.

S/he did not use real bullets obviously but if it's necessary I know they are expert marksman. The sharpshooter in the Tower protects COs and inmates from other inmates during a riot with the priority of stopping the riot and keeping the COs safe and in control.

The CO also spoke up about the staffing shortages and over-crowding; how dangerous it is for both COs and inmates and other issues but the news editor obviously chopped it up for purposes of time or because again, the public doesn't care about prison issues. They just want a good riot or something juicy for their sound bites. He did get his point across really well, despite that. He came right out with it.

So that's what I know so far. Based on this I would think there will be no mail, phone calls, or visitation for at least two weeks. It seems like it's going to take at least that long to perform the checks of every cell. If anyone gets mail or a call or is able to visit, please let us know the latest. I'm just speculating.

I talked to my brother 2day...he said it was pretty bad...some of his friends have been sent to the hospital...I will keep you all in prayer!

I think the 2-word term the spokesperson used was "modified program". Talk about a euphamism!

Yeah, did you get too that they are pulling guards from other prisons to help! That is something when they are already understaffed for the amount of inmates and they are going to take from other prisons? Wow! Unfortunately this is not going to be the end of it. We are going to see more and more riots because you have too many people in too small of a space. And not enough guards to be able to break it up. Not to mention that the prisons thrive on continuing the racism in the prisons.

I think the 2-word term the spokesperson used was "modified program". Talk about a euphamism!

Shit and my son thinks he'll be transferred to Donovan from Lancaster soon. More worries to come I guess. Lots of luv to you all and hope your loved ones are safe.

I just got off the phone with extension 6670 and she informed me all visits are cancelled this weekend. She was unable to confirm Thursday's Thanksgiving Day reservations. (I guess I be calling on Wednesday too.)

Damn. I had no clue that there was a riot in Donovan. my fiance has been in the reception area for about 5 1/2 months now. Is this where the riot started? I am really scared because I have not received any a letter from him. With the inmates being on lockdown will they still be able to send and receive mail?

More bad news .... I heard they will continue lock down because of TB.

I thought TB was common in the prison system? Sounds like more BS to me.

Dont you just love how the CO that was interviewed stressed how short handed they are with prison staff? He also commented that they had been on lock down and they had prior knowledge of the racial tensions that were taking place. Personally I think they are using our guys to try to prove a point they are understaffed.

My son is in there and I still don't know if he's alright. I called but they tell anyone whos calling that there loved one is okay. There are so many conflicting stories on how many were hurt and other stories from people that were just released saying there were some deaths. I'm going crazy because he's suppose to get out on Tuesday. I just called again to find out if he was getting out on time and after a while she put me on hold then came back and said she was transferring me to the prison analyst which of course was her voice mail. Whats a prison analyst? does anyone know. God, I am going crazy. He better never go back again.

Reports said that it was 4 black inmates and a prison guard that were taken to the hospital. So, unless you fall into that catagory, your son should be ok.

My son is in there and I still don't know if he's alright. I called but they tell anyone whos calling that there loved one is okay. There are so many conflicting stories on how many were hurt and other stories from people that were just released saying there were some deaths. I'm going crazy because he's suppose to get out on Tuesday. I just called again to find out if he was getting out on time and after a while she put me on hold then came back and said she was transferring me to the prison analyst which of course was her voice mail. Whats a prison analyst? does anyone know. God, I am going crazy. He better never go back again.

My finacee is at Donovan and I haven't got any mail in days!! I was wondering what was up?? Thanks for keeping us posted..I'm way up north and have no idea what's going on down there. I have 11 days left before my long drive down there!! Please Keep me in your thought as you are all in my thoughts and prayers too.

~B

I got word this evening....Visits were a go for this weekend, that is until a TB scare hit. Apparently, Donovan is now on quarantine, and thus visits for this weekend have been canceled. However, if anyone hse an update...

The riot that happened was a completely predictable and preventable situation. Yes, the guards were aware of the mounting racial tension. In fact, I find them partially responsible. When you separate races, allowing one multiple privileges while all other races are locked inside their cells for weeks upon end (not even let out for showers) and then, after 2 months, throw them all into a yard together....it would take a moron not to know what would happen. And of course the C.O.'s complain that it is because they are understaffed: they don't want to take the responsiblity for mishandling the situation. It provides them with a perfect opportunity to scream "More guards! More prisons!" This is what the union wants-not actual prison reform; trying to keep these people out prison, or to keep them from coming back (85% return rate in San Diego County).

By the way, the "rubber bullets" mentioned earlier in the thread: they are actually 2"x 4"s

And no, TB is not common in the prison system. It is highly contagious, and can be deadly if left untreated. It's not allowed to just run rampant through inmates.

Anyone ever sent any books to Donovan? I called the mail center there and she told me we are lot allowed to send books. The inmate has to buy them themselves.

I used to be able to send books to Avenal and it was a joy to be able to send something positive.

Any input?

I know you are not allowed to send books to reception center inmates. I believe you can for all other inmates. I have never heard such a thing (but often those you reach by phone at Donovan are less then helpful)! In fact, I have been told by my fiancee (Level I at Donovan) that you can actually buy the books in the store, i.e. Borders, Barnes and Noble, and they will ship them. I do know the bookstore does this, and I am almost positive that they are accepted by the prison. Sorry I can't say anything with definity..but nothing seems definite at Donovan:(

I just called to confirm visitation status for tomorrow and was told No Visits will be allowed this week-end, not even for Thanksgiving. Due to TB...still.

Is there going to have visists at Donavon on Sunday 11/26/06. I hav'nt seen my son for awhile.

There is no visiting at all this weekend. As of this past Wednesday, there will be visits next weekend, 12/2 and 12/3.

Hello my son might be going to RJ Donavon. can any one give me any information on visiting? what time should i get to the prison. will we be able to see them for the 6 hours total each day Saturday and Sunday?
where we are right now we have to get to the prison line like 9:00pm the night before to see them all day. any information would be great..

I don't know the ins and outs for contact visits. If your son will be in Reception at Donovan, he'll only be allowed non-contact visits. They're only one hour long and you must make an appointment in advance. I'm going for my first one tomorrow morning. If you need more information for Reception visits, I'll have all the details (well, more than I have now, anyway) after that.

I am guessing that he is not in reception and is just being transfered... if this is the case, you want to get there early! When I was visiting my husband there, I used to get there at about 6am. You will line up along Otay Mesa Rd at the stop sign to Alta Road. I am sure you will see others lined up, but if by chance you are the first one, just pull right off the road at the stop sign and a guard will come out to get you. You will follow the guard to the gate and they will check your trunk there. You will get a pass and then you park by the trailer. After that a bus will come and get the first group of 20 I think and take them over to the prison. They call you by the number on your pass. So, depending on how early and how many people are there will depend on how long of a visit you get. I think visiting starts at 9am. It has been a while since I have visited there, but I am sure if any of this has changed, someone will correct me. I would also call tomorrow morning just to make sure they are having visits.

Hello my son might be going to RJ Donavon. can any one give me any information on visiting? what time should i get to the prison. will we be able to see them for the 6 hours total each day Saturday and Sunday?
where we are right now we have to get to the prison line like 9:00pm the night before to see them all day. any information would be great..

thank you for the information you girls are great

swimupstream ..... how did your visit go at Donovan? Any word on what is going on there?

biological mom, how did your visit go? was it like i described or have they changed things?

I have not gone yet!! I just was told he is going to Donovan just not sure when he will transfer. I just hate the waiting game. Thank you for
asking. I will update you when i do get to see him.

Ok.. hopefully he goes soon so you can see him!!

I have not gone yet!! I just was told he is going to Donovan just not sure when he will transfer. I just hate the waiting game. Thank you for
asking. I will update you when i do get to see him.

Can inmates receive quaterly packages while in receiving

Can inmates receive quaterly packages while in receiving

No - not until they are moved into regular house their or another facility.