On Friday August 2, 2024 there was a serious disruption of operations at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, California. As facility staff entered a building to conduct a mass contraband search. The search was part of a planned contraband introduction effort call “Operation Breakdown”. At the start of the search over 100 inmates refused to comply with orders and became non-compliant with any staff direction. Inmates were jumping on tables, yelling obscenities/threats, slamming on windows and doors and throwing objects at the officers.
Due to the large magnitude of disruptive inmates, staff called for a “Code 3” response. Staff also used several uses of force options to quell the disturbance to include chemical agent grenades, 40mm less lethal rounds, and baton strikes. One correctional sergeant was battered by an inmate during the incident. Other staff members received minor injuries from the inmates.
Many of the non-compliant inmates have made allegations of unnecessary and/or excessive force. Unfortunately, CDCR is managing this incident more poorly than usual already forcing several officers to transfer to other institutions following this inmate insurrection. Female prisons are usually less violent when compared to male institutions; this is probably why CDCR management is taking unusual punitive measures against likely innocent staff.
We at the Toughest Beat hope that every officer remains safe and understands event female inmates can be violent. We also hope California politics does not ruin the careers of innocent peace officers just trying to maintain safety and security.
Watch your partners back.
thetoughestbeat