Inmate Hunger Strike Grows to 12,000 Participants

Local inmates are doing Ghandi proud. The group of prisoners in an estimated 12 California facilities participating in a hunger strike has grown to nearly 12,000, reports L.A. Now, possibly the largest inmate hunger strike in recent U.S. history.

The prisoners are protesting a number of regulations, most prominently those surrounding solitary confinement. Inmates who are suspected of being involved with gangs can be held in isolation indefinitely.

The strike has been going on for eight days now. Prisoners waged a similar strike in July of this year, but ended it when officials agreed to take a look at their concerns. Nothing has been done since then, say the protesters.

Family members of the striking inmates as well as mediation team lawyers have reportedly been banned from the prison premises in recent days.