There was a lockdown on two jails in San Francisco County on Sunday afternoon, and the National Guard was called in to assist, according to reports that attacks on jail staff are becoming more frequent.
The community has been disturbed by recent events, which include a high increase in prisoner fights, attacks on prisoners by other convicts, and injuries to deputy sheriffs and civilian staff. The San Francisco Deputy Sheriff’s Association (SFDSA) released a statement on Sunday saying, “These alarming incidents highlight the urgent need for intervention to ensure the safety and security of everyone within the jails.”
According to sheriff officials, since March 29, at least seven employees—two of whom suffered significant injuries—have been hurt by prisoners.
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Ken Lomba, president of the SFDSA association, insisted that San Francisco city leaders ask the California National Guard to be sent in to help with personnel shortages.Â
“I am writing to urgently address the escalating violence within the San Francisco Jails, a situation that demands immediate action,” the contents of the letter stated. “Given the severity of these challenges, I demand that you immediately request deployment of the California National Guard to temporarily supplement our current staffing levels.”
According to Lomba, the problem has been getting worse since 2020. According to him, the SFDSA emphasises that in order to address this urgent matter and improve safety and security inside the jails, the City and Sheriff’s Office must move quickly.
The SFDSA stated in the letter that there were at least 240 recorded instances of prisoner fights in 2023, a 58% rise from 2022, and that there were 79% more reported attacks on prisoners by other prisoners over the same time frame.
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“As the situation in San Francisco County Jails reaches a critical point, the SFDSA’s demand for increased staffing and National Guard support raises a crucial question: ‘Will Mayor London Breed and President of the Board of Supervisors Aaron Peskin prioritise the hiring of more deputy sheriffs and the deployment of the California National Guard?’” So did Lomba.
Lomba emphasized that the community’s safety and well-being, as well as those of the deputies, are at stake.
“It is imperative that swift and decisive action be taken to address staffing shortages and ensure a safer environment for all,” Lomba stated.
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office declared that services, programmes, and visits will not be taking place due to the lockdowns.
“Attacks on deputies directly affect the safety of everyone in jail, including our staff, community members who work in the jail, and the incarcerated,” the San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office stated in a statement.
Officials stated that daily operations should resume the following week.Â
