Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
California Prison Employees Suspended Over Racist Remarks
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
June 1, 2020

Share

SACRAMENTO — California prison officials said Friday that they suspended multiple employees who made racist jokes about the death of an African American man in police custody in Minneapolis, a disclosure that came amid protests across the state and nation.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation “was made aware of abhorrent comments made on social media by some employees that will not be tolerated,” spokeswoman Dana Simas said. “The employees who made the comments were immediately suspended, and we are investigating the incidents fully.”
Secretary Ralph Diaz said in a letter to his staff that what he described as “distasteful jokes and comments” about the death of George Floyd dishonored the department. He called the comments “extremely hurtful and disrespectful to (Floyd’s) family and members of the community.”
“In addition to racist remarks, a religious group was also singled out for disparagement,” he said, without elaborating.
Simas would not say how many employees were suspended, where they are located, or whether they are correctional officers or have other duties, citing the active investigations.
Diaz said unethical or racist conduct will not be tolerated regardless of whether employees are sworn correctional officers or other employees, or happen while they are on duty or off duty.
The union representing correctional officers did not immediately comment.
Floyd died after several Minneapolis police officers sat on him and one was shown in a viral video with his knee on Floyd’s neck. That officer, Derek Chauvin, was charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

DON'T MISS

‘It’s Living Hell’: Nurses Say CA Addiction Recovery Program Ended Their Careers

DON'T MISS

Santa Who? Bizarre Christmas Traditions Stealing the Holiday Spotlight

DON'T MISS

New Decisions Boost California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate, but Major Hurdles Remain

DON'T MISS

Only $20K More to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Fresno

DON'T MISS

Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran

DON'T MISS

Cat House on the Kings Urgently Needs You to Donate Dollars and Adopt Your New Best Friend

DON'T MISS

The Surprising Sexual Politics of Nicole Kidman’s Kinky ‘Babygirl’

DON'T MISS

Why It’s Hard to Control What Gets Taught in Public Schools

DON'T MISS

FDA Approves Weight-Loss Drug to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

DON'T MISS

In a Calendar Rarity, Hanukkah Starts This Year on Christmas Day

UP NEXT

New California Voter ID Ban Puts Conservative Cities at Odds With State

UP NEXT

University of California Campuses Resolve Discrimination Complaints Stemming From Gaza Protests

UP NEXT

California Declared an Emergency Over Bird Flu. How Serious Is the Situation?

UP NEXT

Chinese National Charged With Acting as Beijing’s Agent in Local California Election

UP NEXT

CA Lemon Law Will Provide Car Buyers Fewer Protections in 2025

UP NEXT

FBI Raids Home of LA Deputy Mayor Following City Hall Bomb Threat Probe

UP NEXT

White House Pushes to Find American Journalist Abducted in Syria

UP NEXT

Liberal Donors Plot to Overturn Republican House Majority in 2026

UP NEXT

The ‘Murder Hornet’ Has Been Eradicated From US, Officials Say

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Declares State of Emergency Over Bird Flu Outbreak

Only $20K More to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Fresno

4 hours ago

Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran

20 hours ago

Cat House on the Kings Urgently Needs You to Donate Dollars and Adopt Your New Best Friend

20 hours ago

The Surprising Sexual Politics of Nicole Kidman’s Kinky ‘Babygirl’

21 hours ago

Why It’s Hard to Control What Gets Taught in Public Schools

21 hours ago

FDA Approves Weight-Loss Drug to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

21 hours ago

In a Calendar Rarity, Hanukkah Starts This Year on Christmas Day

22 hours ago

A Look at the $100 Billion in Disaster Relief in the Government Spending Bill

22 hours ago

It’s Eggnog Season. The Boozy Beverage Dates Back to Medieval England but Remains a Holiday Hit

22 hours ago

9-Year-Old Among 5 Killed in Christmas Market Attack in Germany

23 hours ago

‘It’s Living Hell’: Nurses Say CA Addiction Recovery Program Ended Their Careers

Bobbie Sage thought nursing would be her salvation. She was trapped in an abusive relationship with four kids and looking for a steady incom...

3 hours ago

3 hours ago

‘It’s Living Hell’: Nurses Say CA Addiction Recovery Program Ended Their Careers

3 hours ago

Santa Who? Bizarre Christmas Traditions Stealing the Holiday Spotlight

3 hours ago

New Decisions Boost California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate, but Major Hurdles Remain

4 hours ago

Only $20K More to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Fresno

20 hours ago

Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran

20 hours ago

Cat House on the Kings Urgently Needs You to Donate Dollars and Adopt Your New Best Friend

21 hours ago

The Surprising Sexual Politics of Nicole Kidman’s Kinky ‘Babygirl’

21 hours ago

Why It’s Hard to Control What Gets Taught in Public Schools

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend