Official: CA prison staff wrote ‘racist’ comments

Some California prison staff members have taken to social to mock the death of George Floyd, according to the prison system’s secretary who warned against “racist” and “extremely hurtful” remarks in a letter to the entire prison system Friday.

The social media posts, which were not described in detail, “brought dishonor to this department and cast a shadow on the fine work we do,” wrote Secretary Ralph Diaz, who is in charge of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

“In the aftermath of the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, it has come to my attention that some employees of this department have taken to social media to make distasteful jokes and comments that denigrate Mr. Floyd and are extremely hurtful and disrespectful to his family and members of the community, based solely on who they are,” Diaz wrote. “In addition to racist remarks, a religious group was also singled out for disparagement. To say I was upset to learn of these comments would be an understatement.”

Diaz added that such remarks were intolerable and a violation of the prison system’s ethical code. Any staff responsible would be subject to investigation, he wrote.

CDCR spokeswoman Dana Simas said in an email that staff members behind the postings are being disciplined.

“CDCR was made aware of abhorrent comments made on social media by some employees that will not be tolerated by the department,” Simas said. “The employees who made the comments were immediately suspended and we are investigating the incidents fully.”