Opinion ID: 2599880
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Oliver's Misconduct in Prison

Text: In November 1984, while incarcerated in the California Institution for Men, Chino, Oliver was confined in a unit reserved for inmates with disciplinary problems or in protective custody. He threw a carton of milk and coffee at Richard Valiente, the correctional officer serving a meal. Immediately beforehand, when the officer displayed a paper plate, Oliver had said, I ought to throw this food at you. The coffee was hot, and it would have hit the officer had he not dodged it. Afterwards, Oliver said, If I had any more food, I would throw that on you, too. Sergeant Royal Towns testified that staff found a plastic shank, or knife, in Oliver's possession at San Quentin Prison in March 1985. It was located in a shampoo bottle in the rear of Oliver's cell. At the time, he was single-celled in a secure unit for high-profile inmates, such as gang members. The weapon was almost two inches wide, and sharpened to a point. Towns testified that inmates favored plastic weapons because they do not activate prison metal detectors.