42 Maximum-Security Inmates In Utah Prison Begin Hunger Strike

A group of 42 inmates at the Utah State Prison refused breakfast on Friday morning and have gone on a hunger strike, prison officials say.

Utah Department of Corrections spokeswoman Brooke Adams told The Huffington Post the prisoners have provided a list of demands, which include the release of gang leaders from the maximum-security facility where they're currently housed.

Adams declined to share the other demands, but told the Salt Lake Tribune they're under review by prison officials.

All 42 of the inmates on strike are documented gang members housed in the maximum-security Uinta Facility, Adams said.

The prison has responded by "offering each participating inmate the opportunity to be evaluated by medical personnel for baseline weight and other vital statistics to enable their health to be monitored while they refuse to eat," according to a media release.

"The Department will continue to offer the inmates meals as regularly scheduled," Adams added.

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