DESERT PRISON JAMMED 4,600 INMATES AT SITE DESIGNED FOR 2,200.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Crammed with more than double the inmates it was designed to hold, California State Prison-Los Angeles County has some sleeping in recreation rooms and a gymnasium.

Since the first year it opened, more than 4,000 inmates have been assigned to the prison designed for 2,200, and the population explosion has been especially great since spring. Officials hope the crowding may ease next year with the opening of a new San Joaquin Valley prison.

``Our inmate population has never been this high,'' said prison spokesman Ken Lewis. ``There was an influx of arrests in the Los Angeles County area, and most of these guys are from L.A. County. It's not just us, though. All of our prisons (statewide) have seen a jump in inmate population.''

The prison, which opened in 1993, currently houses some 4,600 inmates. One-man cells became two-man cells soon after the opening. Six years ago, bunk beds were installed in a gymnasium, along with showers and toilets, to accommodate 119 inmates.

In April, bunk beds for more than 150 inmates were carried into cell block day rooms - where inmates are allowed to watch TV, play cards and write letters - in one of the prison's four sections.

Officials are hoping that opening of California's 34th prison, scheduled for next year in Delano, will relieve crowding so bunk beds can be removed from day rooms and the gymnasium.

Statewide, with more than 160,000 inmates in state prisons at any given time, about 9,500 occupy unconventional living areas. Critics say ventilation is poor for sleeping, toilet access is limited, and conditions can become dangerous for correctional officers.

Correctional officers already have complained about conditions and pay.

California Department of Corrections officials say criticism is nothing new.

``We house inmates in all types of facilities throughout the state, and cleanliness has always been a concern,'' said prison representative Terry Thornton. ``I've never seen any unsanitary conditions when I've visited these facilities.''

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Designed for 2,200 inmates, the California State Prison-Los Angeles County in Lancaster holds 4,600 inmates.

(2 -- color) Bunk beds have been set up in the former day room that all inmates had used in one of the cell blocks at the crowded state prison in Lancaster.

(3) Inmates use an exercise yard at California State Prison-Los Angeles County. A gymnasium is now used for sleeping.

(4 -- 5) Inmates, above, share their day-room recreation area with others who must use it as their sleeping quarters, left. Correctional officers say crowding and inability to use the Lancaster prison as it was designed make their jobs more dangerous.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer