California To Force-Feed Inmates On Hunger Strike

California will force-feed inmates who have been on a hunger strike for over six weeks. A federal judge says California will be allowed to do this for prisoners who they say may be in danger.

The judge’s order will also mean prisons can ignore any inmate’s previous no not resuscitate, or DNR, requests. This differs from standard California prison policy, which is to allow prisoners to starve to death if they have a signed DNR request.

Over 130 prisoners in California are protesting what they say is unfair and inhumane treatment, according to Reuters. They say the way inmates are put into solitary confinement is unconstitutional. Hunger strikers say the near-total isolation many inmates in California are subjected to is a form of cruel and unusual punishment.

Of those protesting, nearly 70 have continued since the hunger strikes began July 8. When it began, nearly 30,000 of California’s 133,000 inmates were refusing meals.

Usually prison officials must make a case-by-case request when dealing with the treatment of hunger strikers facing illness or death. Monday’s federal court ruling, however, gives permission to treat prisoners based on staff decisions. This could mean California may begin to force-feed its inmates on hunger strike soon.

Doctors say they must help an inmate who is in danger, even if they are refusing meals and medical treatment. And those deemed too ill or delirious to make those choices will be given treatment and possibly force-fed. According to ABC News, those inmates who signed do not resuscitate requests near the start or soon after the beginning of the hunger strike will have their DNR requests ignored.

Force-feeding striking inmates has become highly controversial. Notably, inmates at the Guantanamo Bay prison who were refusing meals were forcibly fed through tubes snaked down the inmates’ throat to their stomach after strikes earlier this year.

Some consider force-feeding to be a violation of civil rights and possibly even a type of torture. A representative for ten of the inmates in California on hunger strike says doing so violates international law by defying a person’s consent.

It is unknown when California will force-feed their inmates who are on hunger strike, but doctors and staff are expected to make the call soon.

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