State AG Continues Prison Battle

Attorney General Bill Lockyer won support in his battle with the politically powerful prison guards´ union yesterday, when senators approved a bill that would overturn a portion of the union contract.

Experts and Senate witnesses say adult and youth prison employees are shielded by what they call a “code of silence” that protects wrongdoers while punishing whistleblowers.

Lockyer is contesting a portion of the contract that requires investigators to turn over confidential information to prison employees at their request. But the union says the requirement is designed to help resolve complaints against prison employees quickly and as cheaply as possible.

Meanwhile, several Senate Democrats are calling for the Legislature to block the union´s lucrative pay increases.