By C1 Staff
HIGH DESERT — Anonymous correctional officers with the High Desert State Prison spoke about a lack of equipment and training that led to the shooting death of one inmate and the injury of another.
The Review-Journal reports that the officers said blasting birdshot is their only option when it comes to stopping violent situations.
Less lethal options like pepper spray, TASERs or batons were available in the past – some are still in storage on prison property – but they are no longer allowed to use these items due to department directive.
The shooting in question occurred on Nov. 12, 2014, killing Carlos Perez Jr. and injuring Andrew Arevalo. None of the officers who spoke to the newspaper defended the shooting, but they understood how the decision was made to fire the shotgun.
“I think he made a mistake, but this was bound to happen,” one officer said. “You can’t help but feel bad for him. He was new and was in over his head.”
The officers wanted to make clear that they are just as worried as the public is, as they don’t have the tools necessary to do their jobs safely.
Pepper spray was removed from circulation after it was misused in a prank.
Many said they only received a little training in the use of the now defunct pepper spray and TASERs, and they also only went to the shooting range a few times a year.
Officers are unsure why these tools aren’t available to them, saying that they’re often the last to know and the first to feel the effects of state budget cuts. This has led to high turnover throughout the prison system.
“This situation right here was preventable,” one said. “I know you can’t prevent everything, but that would have been an easy takedown … with no [lethal] force.”