In the 1990’s, in a ritual that became known as "gladiator days", known enemies at Corcoran State Prison were released from their cells and paired off like fighting cocks in empty prison yards. Over a period of eight years seven inmates were shot dead at Corcoran, five in 18 months. More than 50 were wounded in the same period, more than in any other prison in the United States at the time. Gunfire rang out almost every day, and shootings were covered up. Corcoran’s Security Housing Unit (SHU) was known as the “shooting gallery”.SHU yards at level four prisons across California can still resemble “gladiator days”, as described by prisoner Keith Stark below.