February 9 – 16, 2019: Approximately 50 immigrant detainees in the ICE-operated detention facility launched a hunger strike in response to a variety of demands, including lack of medical care, adequate exercise time and educational programs.
2019
01
Feb
Food Strike at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center, Washington
February 1 – (ongoing): The majority of the prisoners at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center launched a hunger strike to protest cold “breakfast boats” that they say are primarily sugar. A breakfast boat is a boxed meal that is given to prisoners with their evening meal, usually with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a muffin, bran bar, cereal and powdered milk.
30
Jan
Attack on Guards at Elmira Correctional Facility, New York
January 30, 2019: Three correctional officers were treated for injuries after being attacked by several inmates at Elmira Correctional Facility. The incident started after one inmate reportedly left a classroom without permission.
25
Jan
Hunger Strike at Western Women’s Correctional Facility, New Mexico
January 25, 2019 – (end date unknown): According to the group Millions for Prisoners New Mexico, prisoners housed at Western Women’s Correctional Facility went on hunger strike to protest various issues with the prison’s outsourced meal provider Trinity Food Services.
20
Jan
Uprising at Lee County Juvenile Detention Center, Iowa
January 20, 2019: Four juvenile detainees participated in an uprising in the day room of the juvenile detention center. The juveniles destroyed property and sprayed fire extinguishers, setting off alarms. All four were charged with 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Participating in a Riot.
14
Jan
Hunger Strike at Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York
January 14 – (end date unknown): An unspecified number of prisoners went on hunger strike in response to cancelled visits that were the result of staffing shortages due to the government shutdown. The New York Times reported that the facility, which is run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is also experiencing difficulty administering medication and other medical care during the shutdown.
09
Jan
Hunger Strike at California State Prison, Corcoran
January 9 – 28, 2019: According to the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC), at least 250 prisoners went on hunger strike at the facility’s 3C Unit, although the strike may extend to other units as well.
06
Jan
Attack on Guard at California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran
January 6, 2019: A prisoner allegedly distracted staff while another prisoner retrieved a homemade weapon and stabbed an officer in the face several times.
02
Jan
Hunger Strike at Polk Correctional Institution, North Carolina
January 2 – (end date unknown): Prisoner Joseph Steward and several other prisoners launch a hunger strike to demand access to phone calls while in isolation. According to Steward, state law grants him phone access while in isolation.
01
Jan
Hunger Strike at El Paso Processing Center, Texas
January 1, 2019 (exact start date unknown) – ongoing: As many as 30 immigrant detainees at the ICE-operated facility went on hunger strike over the course of a month, with an unknown number remaining on strike and at least nine of them being force-fed. They are joined by 4 detainees on hunger strike at other ICE facilities in the U.S.–in Miami, Phoenix, San Diego and San Francisco.
