Please help me urge public officials about the improper treatment of inmates in California’s jails and prisons. There are many dilemmas we are battling in 2020 and one of those issues pertains to the beating of prisoners by law enforcement officers that are employed and placed in positions to protect them from other inmates. Rather than protecting them, reports show the opposite is being done. Other than physical abuse, inmates are also being starved and/or not served water. Though they are lawbreakers, this does not justify the violation of their human rights within state prisons or jails.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are approximately nine articles being violated regarding the improper treatment of inmates in the Santa Clara Country Main Jail. First, article 2; “Freedom from discrimination”. When inmates are being beaten, starved, or mistreated solely because they are incarcerated, this violates their rights to not be discriminated against due to their current status. Article 3; “Right to life, liberty, and personal security”. Even when standing trial, inmates have the right to life and feel safe. Next, we have article 5; “Freedom from torture and degrading treatment”. Multiple reports of physical abuse have been tied to the Santa Clara County Main Jail. Another is article 6; “Right to recognition as a person before the law”. When inmates are not being treated like actual people and being mistreated, this article is violated. Article 7; “Right to equality before the law”. This means each person has the right to still have protection by the law. Following, we have article 11; “Right to be considered innocent until proven guilty”. Even if a person is awaiting trial, any form of punishment other than isolation from outside jail is an infringement of their rights. Then we have article 25; “Right to adequate living standards”. Many reports show us inmates are not being fed enough or at all within jail cells which is a breach of this article. Last but not least, article 30; “Freedom of interference in these human rights.” Since eight articles of human rights were violated in regard to this topic before stating this late, that in itself is a defiance of a persons’ rights.

Whether or not these people have broken the law, when they are placed in the custody of the law, they must still be treated fairly and equally while serving their time or awaiting their trial. As taxpayers and citizens, the public has a right to know what happens to those placed in cells and their treatment from those who are responsible for their safety from other inmates, as well as law enforcement. I thank you for your time in signing this petition and supporting the human rights of those within the custody of the law.