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Following seven homicides in the first nine weeks of 2025, California prison authorities restricted inmate movement and revoked privileges such as visits and phone calls at high-security facilities across the state. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced the restrictions in response to a surge in violence targeting inmates and staff.
The measures impact 11 prisons: Calipatria State Prison, Centinela State Prison, California Correctional Institution, High Desert State Prison, Kern Valley State Prison, California State Prison-Los Angeles County, Mule Creek State Prison, Pelican Bay State Prison, California State Prison-Sacramento, Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, and Salinas Valley State Prison.
Officials have not indicated how long these restrictions will remain in effect. CDCR spokeswoman Terri Hardy said the department is conducting a “comprehensive investigation” into the causes of the violence.
On March 7, three homicides occurred across three separate prisons in one day. The first was reported at 6:13 a.m. at California State Prison, Sacramento. Guards discovered the body of Jake Kennedy in a cell he shared with Tyler Yates. Two weeks prior, Kennedy and Yates allegedly stabbed Jonathan Rude – a convicted car thief from Butte County – to death.
If convicted of both killings, Yates would have been responsible for three inmate murders. Yates, 30, entered prison in 2017 with an eight-year sentence for burglary and assault. In 2022, he was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Nathan Marcus at the same prison.
About an hour after Kennedy’s body was found, Terrance Shaw allegedly killed Joshua Peppers at California State Prison, L.A. County. Peppers, 39, was serving time for robbery. Shaw, 42, had been sentenced in 2023 to 14 years for assault, battery and possessing a weapon as a prisoner.
Later that evening, at 5:47 p.m., German Merino was killed at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano. The attackers – allegedly identified as Gilbert Garcia and Rodolfo Cortez – were serving sentences for assault and robbery. Merino, 37, allegedly a member of the prison gang Surenos Do Kill, was serving a life sentence for a 2009 murder in South L.A.
The California State Prison in Sacramento has emerged as one of the state’s most violent, recording four homicides in 2024 and three this year. On March 5, a brawl involving 40 inmates – some armed with knives – resulted in five hospitalizations with non-life-threatening injuries.
In January, Mario Campbell was killed at California State Prison, Sacramento. His alleged attackers – Cody Taylor and David Gomez – were both serving life sentences for prior inmate murders. Taylor had previously killed a handcuffed prisoner in 2019, according to KQED. Gomez, convicted of rape and murder, referred to one of his killings as a “freebie” because he was already serving life without parole, as reported by Monterey County Weekly.
California authorities are focusing on multiple safety measures beyond restricting privileges.
California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) has proactively advocated for improved training programs for correctional officers. These programs focus on de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, and mental health awareness to better equip staff in handling violent incidents. The goal is to reduce the need for force and improve outcomes for both staff and inmates.
The CDCR has prioritized mental health services through its Mental Health Services Delivery System. This program provides tiered levels of care, including therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management to address inmates’ mental health needs and reduce violent behavior.
The CDCR also introduced virtual reality programs aimed at helping inmates in solitary confinement cope with isolation and develop emotional awareness. According to department reports, participants have demonstrated improved behavior.
Training for prison staff is another crucial aspect of ensuring safety within correctional facilities. The California Board of State and Community Corrections requires comprehensive training for correctional officers, covering crisis intervention, use-of-force protocols, and communication techniques. Continued professional development is encouraged to ensure officers are equipped to manage evolving safety challenges.
Prison reform advocates argue addressing systemic violence necessitates more than immediate security measures. They consider rehabilitation, educational opportunities, vocational training, and restorative justice programs essential to reducing recidivism and fostering safer environments.
