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.
2019
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.
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.
2018
30
Nov
Work Strike at Rush City Correctional Facility, Minnesota
November 30, 2018: 115 prisoners who work at the prison’s anagram balloon factory went on strike in response to delays in delivery of canteen items and abuse by guards. Prisoners state that the administration recently changed the amount of time it takes for canteen items to be delivered from one week to two weeks.
06
Nov
Uprising at Larned Correctional, Kansas
November 6, 2018: A series of fights led to a riot in all five units of the Central Facility, leading to “extensive damage” to all of them. Kansas Department of Correction spokesman Samir Arif stated that “the fights were contained to the living unit pods. Some inmates were not responsive to officer orders and began trying to break windows and furniture within the living unit.”
02
Oct
Uprising at California Rehabilitation Center in Norco
October 2, 2018: Prisoners lead a brief uprising in protest of a new policy that integrates yard time for prisoners in segregation and those in general population. Prisoners set fire to a mattress as well as start a fire in a bathroom during the riot. The riot is quickly subdued by prison staff. Two days after the riot, family members of prisoners at Norco hold a rally outside the prison protesting the new policy.
07
Sep
Hamilton Correctional Annex, Florida: 100 Prisoners “Become Noncompliant”
September 7, 2018: Staff mobilize security teams and law enforcement from the surrounding area to contain prisoners who “became noncompliant” on the recreation yard. News helicopters captured images of prisoners, dressed in white, in the yard confronted by a line of guards.
29
Aug
Hunger Strike at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, Delaware
August 29-September 5, 2018: At least 12 prisoners begin refusing meals in protest of conditions. One prisoner, A’Keem Cropper, speaks with local media and explains the motivation for the hunger strike. According to prison authorities, one week later the last of the hunger strikers begins to eat.
