FIBER SHANKS SYNOPSIS:
The purpose of this Situational Intelligence Report is to disseminate information regarding a new tactic used by inmates to make “Shanks” (Jail made weapons). The Intel was provided by the Kern County Sheriff’s Department.
SITUATION: A new method of manufacturing shanks using Psyllium Power (A Laxative) issued by the medical staff during medication pass, was recently discovered in the Kern County Sheriff’s Department’s jail system. Within the past week, a Kern County Deputy Sheriff, acting on information provided by a confidential source, manufactured a four inch shank.
The following pictures demonstrate the process utilized to make one:
1. Open the Package and mix the contents with water until it becomes a paste. Put the paste on a metal surface, for example the bottom of the sliding cell doors and form into a rectangle shape.
2. Let the paste dry for a couple of days or until it hardens.
3. The hardened paste is then rubbed on surfaces like the concrete floors or walls to begin forming a shank.
4. Shank is complete. One Fiber package made a shank this big. Some inmates get up to two fiber packages a day.
ANALYSIS:
An increasing number of inmates are requesting these packages for this reason. The fiber packages are also being sold and traded for commissary. They are becoming a high commodity amongst inmates. These shanks are being hidden under the sliding cells doors. Searches conducted while the doors are open hides the shanks due to the doors being hidden in or behind a wall. The confidential source said that this information came down from the higher ranking Hispanic prison gang members at Pelican Bay State Prison.
CONCLUSION:
Overall, this is a serious security and safety concern. Although the shank may look brittle, it could be a very formidable weapon on a first strike. Please brief your personnel regarding this new procedure. Staff should take all precautions to identify and mitigate any issues related to the manufacture, transportation and storage of weapons within our custody environment. Custody Investigative Services, Prison Gang Liaison, will disseminate updates to Custody and Court Services Divisions personnel as they become available.