Head of Santa Clara Co Sheriff's Association slams sheriff over inmate hunger strike

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The head of the Santa Clara Deputy Sheriff's Association is blasting Sheriff Laurie Smith for a jail hunger strike.

Four days ago, about 125 maximum security inmates at the Santa Clara County Jail stopped eating.

The prisoners are complaining about the food, lack of clean clothing and commissary prices.

RELATED: Inmates at Santa Clara County Jail on hunger strike

The sheriff's association released a statement Thursday saying it agrees with the striking inmates and blames sheriff Smith.

It says in part, "her lackluster response to the serious hunger strike at hand is yet another example of her incompetence."

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