More than 12,000 inmates in California jails have missed nine consecutive meals over three days in a hunger strike against solitary confinement and prison authorities are now threatening to discipline them.

The nine-meal point is a critical benchmark that requires officials to recognise the action as a hunger strike.

About 30,000 prisoners across the state began refusing meals on Monday in support of inmates with ties to
gangs who are being held in solitary confinement at Pelican Bay State Prison. Some prisoners are also refusing to work and to attend classes.

“Participating in a mass disturbance and refusing to participate in a work assignment are violations of state law, and any participating inmates will receive disciplinary action,” California prison officials said in a statement.

Joining in this current strike “can lead to loss of privileges, loss of credits,” said Jeffrey Callison, a spokesman for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He did not say what types of inmate privileges could be taken away.

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