California Institution For Women At Chino

Cloaked in ebony caps and gowns, the graduates strode proudly up to the stage to receive their certificates. Speeches were made, encouraging the freshly minted graduates. Family members beamed from the audience. Cake, ice cream and punch were passed around during the festivities. But Wednesday's ceremony was not your typical high school graduation.

Cloaked in ebony caps and gowns, the graduates strode proudly up to the stage to receive their certificates. Speeches were made, encouraging the freshly minted graduates. Family members beamed from the audience. Cake, ice cream and punch were passed around during the festivities. But Wednesday's ceremony was not your typical high school graduation.

Prisoners at the California Institution for Women have filed suit claiming that they are being subjected to cruel and unusual punishment because the prison has inadequate restrooms. The San Bernardino Superior Court suit seeks an injunction that would require the Chino prison to provide more toilets and showers for inmates, said Donald Specter, director of the Prison Law Office.

In the realm of Christmas parties, there are the old standards: the potluck office party; the cocktail-hour reunion of high school friends; the neighbor's open house. And then, there was this one -- a holiday tradition like no other. The women who gathered over the weekend in Joyce Ride's living room have one thing in common. All served time at the California Institution for Women in Chino -- most for terms that ranged from 20 years to life.

In the realm of Christmas parties, there are the old standards: the potluck office party; the cocktail-hour reunion of high school friends; the neighbor's open house. And then, there was this one -- a holiday tradition like no other. The women who gathered over the weekend in Joyce Ride's living room have one thing in common. All served time at the California Institution for Women in Chino -- most for terms that ranged from 20 years to life.

Prisoners at the California Institution for Women have filed suit claiming that they are being subjected to cruel and unusual punishment because the prison has inadequate restrooms. The San Bernardino Superior Court suit seeks an injunction that would require the Chino prison to provide more toilets and showers for inmates, said Donald Specter, director of the Prison Law Office.