SACRAMENTO — In the wake of reports of widespread brutality and cover-ups at Corcoran State Prison, Gov. Pete Wilson on Tuesday signed legislation to beef up a state watchdog agency that is responsible for policing the nation's largest prison system.
The law, signed without ceremony or fanfare, expands the duties of the inspector general's office and makes it an independent agency that will report directly to the governor.
During recent legislative hearings, prompted by stories in The Times, testimony revealed that internal investigations of alleged brutality by Corcoran guards were often ineffective and there was a lack of accountability in Sacramento.
At the hearings, state officials also acknowledged that a special team of state investigators dispatched to Corcoran last year at Gov. Wilson's behest failed to look at the most serious allegations, ignoring dozens of shootings of inmates by guards. In all, 50 inmates were shot by guards--seven fatally--at Corcoran from 1989 to 1995.
The Legislature last month approved the compromise reform measure written by Sen. Ruben Ayala (D-Chino), which spells out the authority of the inspector general to launch investigations of prison abuse, sets up a confidential toll-free hotline for whistle-blowers, improves training for investigators, and ensures that allegations of serious misconduct receive criminal review. It would also establish sanctions for retaliation against officers who report employee misconduct.
Ayala said Tuesday that the law will "allow the inspector general to become a truly independent investigative office, and to complete timely and thorough investigations."
In a brief statement, Wilson said, "This bill makes it clear that the inspector general will operate as an independent oversight body. Considering the size, scope and nature of California's correctional system, this added protection will further ensure integrity and professionalism."
More than three years ago, the Legislature set up an inspector general's office within Wilson's Youth and Adult Correctional Agency to oversee internal investigations of prison staff misconduct. But critics maintained that the unit--which got its first full-time investigators earlier this year--fell short of what was needed to get to the bottom of violence at Corcoran and other prisons.
