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Prison officials question motives of hunger striking inmates
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Aug 8, 2013
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Prison officials question motives of hunger striking inmates
Inmates say they are protesting the use of solitary confinement, which they call inhumane. But corrections officials say some leaders of the protest head up violent prison gangs and aren't operating with the purest of motives.
Pelican Bay State Prison.
Pelican Bay State Prison.
(
Singeli Agnew/The Center for Investigative Reporting
)

Inmates say they are protesting the use of solitary confinement, which they call inhumane. But corrections officials say some leaders of the protest head up violent prison gangs and aren't operating with the purest of motives.

The hunger strike by California prison inmates is now in its fifth week. 

Inmates say they are protesting the use of solitary confinement, which they call inhumane. But corrections officials say some leaders of the protest head up violent prison gangs and aren't operating with the purest of motives.

With more is Michael Montgomery, who reports for the Center for Investigative Reporting.