By C1 Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Prison activists are now fighting against the practice of “potty watch,” a contraband deterrent method that requires an inmate be observed for up to 72 hours or three contraband-free bowel movements.
Mint Press News reports that inmates are complaining that they’re being hold for much longer than three days, with one inmate claiming that he was held on contraband watch for 52 days.
The practice involves restraining the inmate’s hands so that he cannot reach his rectum; they are placed in a single cell with a metal bed, their clothing taped to their bodies and their hands shackled so they can’t interfere with any objects that may be excreted.
“Sometimes the tape would be too tight that it semi-cut off blood flow to my arms or legs,” described one. “It was truly three days of torture and discomfort.”
According to the CDCR, the practice has been in effect for at least 40 years. The objective is “to retrieve contraband without physical intrusion if possible, ensure that contraband is not circulated into the general population, and ensure the safety of the inmate suspected of having the concealed contraband.”
“Reasonable suspicion” of the inmate ingesting contraband must be present, and a request to place an inmate on watch must be approved at the level of captain or above for the first 72-hour period. Approval for an additional 72 hours must come from the warden.
Activists are encouraging lawmakers to tighten regulation of the practice, such as requiring officials to obtain a court order before conducting a search. Inmates have also filed civil rights suits alleging this treatment violated the Eight Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual” punishment.
DOC records state that only 6 percent of California inmates who underwent contraband watch last year were found to have ingested weapons and 20 percent were found to have swallowed drugs.
“Preventing contraband is a reasonable goal,” said the attorney of one inmate. “But that doesn’t mean guards should have to sort through shit in a bucket.”