A significant power outage last Thursday threw the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, along with the surrounding area in Banning, into disarray, disrupting prison operations and cutting off phone services for inmates. As of today, days after the unexpected blackout, calls still cannot be made to or from the detention center, leaving inmates and families in a communication blackout.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the electricity interruption has been addressed and the facility is operating as normal, but the phone lines are a different story. "We prioritize re-establishing communication channels for incarcerated individuals and their loved ones," said Correctional Lieutenant Erik Kendrick in a statement. Despite the rest of the facility having bounced back, the phone service snag has proved to be a lingering issue.
The department has not released the cause of the power outage or detailed the extent of the impact on penitentiary functions outside of phone communications. However, they have made it clear that their staff is working closely with service providers to restore the phone services.
Incarcerated individuals depend on these phone calls to maintain ties with their families and legal representatives, a critical aspect of their well-being and legal rights. "Our dedicated team is working closely with service providers to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible," Kendrick said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Meanwhile, families are left in the lurch, waiting for any news regarding their loved ones behind bars.
Those seeking more information on the incident have been directed to reach out to the Media Information Bureau.
