Exclusive video shows inmates fighting at Soledad State Prison

Video from inside the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad shows a riot involving about 25 inmates Friday. The video sent to KION was captured by an inmate looking out onto the prison yard. The California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation believes the phone was smuggled in and said it is not allowed.

The CDCR confirms with KION that fights broke out Feb. 14 and 15 in Facility C at Correctional Training Facility.

Approximately 25 inmates were involved in the larger fight Friday. The CDCR said responding officers used pepper spray discharged from 40 mm launchers. An officer also fired one warning shot from a state-issued Mini 14 rifle. One inmate suffered scratches and abrasions. No one else was injured. No inmate-made weapons were recovered.

The same prison gang was involved in both incidents. There have been other fights and riots involving the same gang at several other California state prisons.

A loved one of an inmate at CTF Soledad, who asked to remain anonymous in fear of losing visiting privileges, said the correctional officers are knowingly putting groups of inmates that should be separated in the yard together.

“When they get placed with another group, that’s when the violence occurs. CDCR knows and understands the violence will continue, but they just refuse to separate them.”

The loved one believes they are promoting the violence.

The CDCR said it strongly denies the allegations that officers are purposely putting groups together to fight.

” CDCR is charged with providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who lives, works and visits its institutions,” the CDCR said in a statement. “Furthermore, the rehabilitation of individuals entrusted in the department’s care is also a priority. Any individual or group who does not follow the rules and that inflicts violence on inmates and/or staff, will be subject to sanctions.”