Thousands Of Inmates Stage Hunger Strike

TEHACHAPI, Calif. (AP) -- California prison officials are threatening to discipline thousands of inmates who are participating in a statewide hunger strike.

Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Thursday that leaders of the strike may be placed in solitary confinement and followers losing personal items from their cells.

Strikers are protesting conditions in solitary confinement cells and gang security measures, which they allege puts them in danger.

The strike began Monday and includes 4,252 inmates in eight prisons. A previous hunger strike over the same issues in July involved 6,600 inmates at its peak.

Inmates renewed the strike because they allege prison officials failed to follow through on promises made to end the July action.

Officials say they are reviewing their policies, but the process takes several months.

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