When violent inmates at Fresno County Jail won’t stop yelling and screaming in their cells, they’re often paid a visit by a certain correctional officer.
This particular CO is 6-feet-2 and 280 pounds worthy of a tough- and mean-looking former Fresno State Bulldogs football player. Except when Toamalama Scanlan opens his mouth, what comes out aren’t angry threats.
What comes out are soothing, calming Samoan chants.
“They look at him in confusion like, ‘Why are you singing to me?’” said Fresno County Sheriff’s correctional officer Eulalio Gomez, a member of Scanlan’s unit.
“It actually stops them from their behavior because they can’t register what’s happening.