Small

Larry Small, Warden of Calipatria State Prison, petitions for writ of mandate and/or prohibition after the court issued two orders that the warden claims unduly interfere with his authority and duty to safely operate a maximum security facility. The first order requires Small to alter an attorney visiting room specially constructed for inmate Joseph Barrett, who is charged with the capital offense of murder while serving a life sentence for a previous murder and has the prison system’s highest security classification. The second order requires Barrett’s hands to be unrestrained at pretrial proceedings.

We stayed the proceedings, issued an order to show cause and now grant the petition.

*1005 Procedural and Factual Background

Barrett is charged with the murder of his cellmate while housed at Calipatria State Prison (Calipatria). Barrett is classified for confinement purposes to a “Security Housing Unit,” the most secure housing placement within the California Department of Corrections. Security Housing Unit is an extended term placement designated for an inmate whose conduct endangers the safety of others or the security of the institution. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 15, §…