Prison solidarity activists have confirmed a number of California prisoners have ended their more than three-week hunger strike protesting alleged cruel and unusual conditions. The prisoners had demanded a number of changes in the prison system already standard practice in other parts of the country, including an end to group punishment, denial of food as punishment, and ending long-term solitary confinement. The strike began in the Pelican Bay maximum security facility near the Oregon border and drew the support of thousands of prisoners throughout California. A group of hunger-strike leaders say they have agreed to end the strike after California prison officials promised immediate steps with more to follow in the coming weeks.