Report: Animosity between rival street gangs led to California prison riot last summer

Report: Gang rivaly led to Calif. prison riot

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California prison investigators said an ongoing feud between black and Hispanic street gangs sparked a summer riot that injured 240 inmates.

The August melee also destroyed two buildings at the California Institution for Men in Chino.

Corrections department spokeswoman Terry Thornton said Wednesday the fight began between two Los Angeles County street gangs. Other inmates soon joined in.

She said the gangs were continuing a battle that began with a smaller fight at the prison in May.

Officials charged 222 inmates administratively with rules violations that could lengthen their sentences. The officials plan to ask county prosecutors to file criminal charges against 25 of those inmates for attempted murder, battery and other offenses.