MIM Notes No. 202      January 15, 2000

Under Lock & Key

Prisoner salutes MIM for supporting Black struggle

Revolutionary Greetings: Want to say thank you for choosing "Huey Newton: 
North Amerikan of the Century." For those who studied this warrior knows 
this brother was overdue for his credit. Without MIM Notes to express 
their gratitude and history of this man, many on this plantation would be 
in total darkness (ignorance) of his contributions to the proletarian and 
Black struggle. I have questioned many of my brothers on their knowledge 
of this revolutionary warrior and the only thing they come up with is he 
is the leader of the Black Panther Party. This gave me the opportunity to 
share, in depth, what this comrade fought for and his methods. To begin, 
I used your article of him to open up and then pulled out some of his 
books. Before I knew it, they were taking notes and asking questions.

We also agree, that a racist or "KKK type persyn might have scientific 
ideas that advance all of society." MIM Notes deserves commendation from 
all revolutionaries under oath to the struggle and annihilation of this 
imperialistic beast. We salute the fist of power to you, MIM and RAIL.

Power to the People!

 -- A Texas Prisoner.

"Security Threat Groups":

A threat to imperialism

The prison officials at Indiana State Penitentiary have begun a Security 
Threat Group (STG) campaign to target and discourage ALL Revolutionary 
Support groups, to discourage friends and family from communicating with 
Political Prisoners, Revolutionaries, and the progressive elements in 
these kages. This campaign is a clear attempt at repressing and limiting 
our communications, and putting a stronghold on our abilities to reach 
our communities. Books, pamphlets, letters, newsletters and newspapers 
are all subjected to confiscation under the STG policy as prisoner-to-
prisoner correspondence, gang-related, or inflammatory.

This campaign serves to further isolate and segregate New Afrikans and 
the Latino Nations who are organizing and politicizing our communities 
about the atrocities being committed against prisoners around this 
kountry. If our bloodlines are severed from the communities, then the 
conditions of our lives are hanging in the balance, checked by our 
captors.

At [this other prison], the officials are waging another campaign to 
limit the list of supporters we can call to twenty (20) people. The 
prison's phone policy claims if a supporter is not on your phone list, 
and you make an attempt to call them, the prison officials will cut the 
phone line, trace the call back and ask your supporters are they willing 
to accept your phone call? This is a clear case of harassment. The 
contradiction undermines the purpose of a phone operator, our supporters' 
ability to say yes or no to a phone call by a prisoner, and again brings 
into question the issue of harassment of our supporters. Those of us who 
are constantly informing our supporters about the conditions and 
treatment must overstand that by giving our captors a list of supporters, 
friends and loved ones may legitimize a campaign to call our supporters 
and blatantly lie about conditions and treatment -- so be careful. We 
must protect our resources, and one of those resources is our supporters.

-- an Indiana prisoner

Crackdown on Texas death row

Dear MIM Notes: Wanted to let you know the new treatment these pigs are 
doing to me and my fellow death row prisoners in Texas, the Gulag state.

Since November 1998 and Martin Gurale's almost successful escape, Texas 
officials have been making a point to punish the rest of Texas Death Row. 
... Since November, 1998, we have had our property seized, destroyed and 
lost; our work privileges (except a select 45 out of 360 prisoners) 
terminated without notice and without reason; we were forced into single 
cell status; recreation reduced from 15 hours, 7 days a week to 2 hours, 
5 days a week. And food has been reduced. (Breakfast is 1 egg, 2 
biscuits, and 2 oz gravy).

But on November 12, 1999 they (screws) [guards -ed] decided to empty 2 
wings containing 60 death row prisoners, and put 30 on various other 
death row wings, and the other 30 of us in solitary confinement.

No one has committed any violations, and some have had clean disciplinary 
records for over 10 years. And though Ellis I Unit has changed the name 
of solitary to "F-Wing," there are no differences of the conditions of 
the cells than before. ...

We have been reclassified, so we must be handcuffed and visit in "cages." 
To add insult, we must get on our knees and lean back against the cell 
door to have the cuffs put on our wrists in back. A procedure only done 
for solitary confinement prisoners. Even death row segregation can stand 
while being handcuffed.

Yet they say we are randomly selected and not as punishment! I can only 
assume that if this is not their idea of punishment, then punishment must 
begin when they start beating us. Can only presume that is next, since we 
are already in solitary confinement.

MIM Notes, I and a few others are joining together to write and ask our 
family, friends, relatives and any others concerned to make phone calls 
to Warden Morgen of Ellis I Unit. Ph: (409) 967-8082 (Ext. 5054) or (409) 
295-5756 to protest this treatment and demand our release from solitary 
confinement/F-Wing and/or to move us to the Terrell Unit for proper 
housing.

-- A Texas Prisoner.

Michigan DOC on a collision course with prisoners' rights

I am writing to inform you of the collision course, between Michigan 
prison inmates, and Michigan prison officials. In January of 2000, The 
Michigan Department of Corrections plan on taking all clothes from prison 
inmates. 

Prison officials are also submitting arguments to limit inmate outgoing, 
and incoming mail. Prison officials want a new policy to make inmates 
submit a list of people for a mailing list. No more than ten people to a 
list. Whoever is not on this list, cannot obtain letters from you.

The oppressor is finally showing his true colors, in trying to limit us 
from contacting our loved ones. The inmates statewide are tired. The 
women inmates lost a law suit to keep their clothes.

It has been said that the brothers in Freeland Correctional Facility are 
locked down, for refusing to work, in protest of MDOC's pursuit to take 
all clothes. I have heard the plans to protest in all prisons, at the 
same time. If MDOC is trying to incite a riot with the inmate population, 
they just may get it.

Some inmates are close to going home. But others still have a lot of time 
to do. And, they don't want to do it with prison officials breathing down 
their backs, with these harassment tactics. I am convinced that something 
serious will happen, if MDOC tries to enforce these new policies.

That is why I am asking our brothers, and sisters on the outside, to keep 
in contact with the people that you know, in prisons across Michigan. We 
will need outside support, and publicity from MIM Notes, if we are locked 
down. Prison guards may abuse inmates, or bring serious harm. All inmates 
are alleged to be boycotting, all inmate jobs, and stores. It is said 
that some will refuse to "lock up!" I say, if it does happen, then MDOC 
will finally get what it deserves.

 -- a Michigan prisoner.

MIM responds: We agree that prisoners need support to deal with and 
combat these increasingly repressive policies. More importantly, 
prisoners need organization. We argue that there are no rights, only 
power struggles to illustrate the importance of organizing among the 
oppressed to meet basic needs.

MIM Notes publishes these Under Lock & Key pages as a place for prisoners 
to inform each other on their struggles and to develop political 
responses to prison repression. We organize the Prisoners' Legal Clinic 
as a place for prisoners to share information and guidance on dealing 
with legal struggles as they relate to political organizing.

A Michigan prisoner has written an article for the MIM Legal Notes column 
called "CAIN v. MDOC implementations of censorship." Prisoners in 
Michigan wanting to know how the new property policy affects their right 
to reading materials are welcome to a copy, and for those who have access 
to the Internet the article is on our website at: 
http://www.etext.org/Politics/ MIM/ulk/mln/mln167.html

On the legality of a set list of people to whom prisoners may send mail, 
the Prisoners' Self-Help Litigation Manual has this to say:

"Restrictions on outgoing correspondence cannot be greater than 
'necessary or essential' to protect 'important or substantial' interests. 
This important difference in legal standards between incoming [mail, 
which is much easier for prisons to restrict] and outgoing mail is easily 
forgotten by courts and may be ignored by prison officials' lawyers. If 
your case involves outgoing mail, be sure to emphasize that you are 
entitled to the more favorable 'necessary or essential' rule."

Source: John Boston and Daniel E. Manville, ITAL Prisoners' Self-Help 
Litigation Manual: Third Edition END. (New York: Oceana Publications, 
Inc., 1995), p. 151.

Tenn prisoner requests info on repression

I am writing to you out of desperation and hope that you may provide 
written literature, information, an insight into anti-prisoner 
legislation in Michigan, in an attempt to stop, slow-down, or repeal 
oppressive policy promulgation, procedures and practice, in the Tennessee 
Department of Correction. Specifically, in Maximum Security Facilities 
here in Tennessee.

In 1985, the federal court took over Tennessee's prisons because they 
were overcrowded, violent and unsanitary. On or around May 14, 1993, the 
federal court, set in place certain policies, practices and procedures, 
issued a mandatory injunction order to comply and leave in effect its 
mandates, then, returned Tennessee's prison system to the State of 
Tennessee.

In 1995, a new commissioner of Correction took office, and has since tore 
down, failed to comply, and raked havoc on Tennessee's prison system 
through the administrative policies and procedures Act found in the 
Tennessee Code. This commissioner is a stone-cold-fool, and most of his 
actions seem to be targeted at inmates on Maximum security in retaliation 
for a few escapes.

Involuntary Administrative Segregation is no longer a tool used for 
"control and management," but, in contrast, has become a place of "harsh 
long term punishment." Some of us have been designated "permanent high-
security risk" and have to remain on Maximum custody, permanently. I do 
plan to file suit against the TDOC, however, I want my stats to be solid 
and correct before I do so, and I was just wondering if you folks or 
prisoners in the Michigan System, are having any success at attacking 
prison issues in the state or federal courts.

Sincerely,

-- A prisoner in Tennessee

MIM responds:  We print the above request in ULK so that other prisoners 
can help the writer obtain information. MIM can send some information on 
the practices of Michigan, it certainly is an example of a state with 
draconian policies regarding prisoners. The amount of work and need for 
the Party to prioritize limits our ability to fill requests like the 
above on a regular basis at this point. That is one of the reasons that 
we are starting to compile useful information for prisoners through the 
Prisoners' Legal Clinic. For MIM to be successful at organizing the PLC, 
we need readers to continue and intensify contributions. You can start by 
helping us to augment the information we can send to the above prisoner. 
If it's applicable to other prisoners, the research/information will be 
placed on MIM's website and distributed to other prisoners.

Building independent institutions

Greetings MIM: Received MIM Notes 195 and enjoyed reading "On Focoism and 
the Lumpen Proletariat." I am in total agreement on MIM's theory, its 
tactics and strategy that I find confusing.

For example, in the above-mentioned article it was mentioned under the 
heading "NOW": "Create public opinion and independent institutions of the 
people to prepare to seize power." 

Since all other stages depend on this initial stage, which are two 
separate and individual stages of the first step of creating mass 
awareness/supporting institutions, my question is, what independent 
institutions are presently being developed to prepare the people to seize 
power? Or if that question is too direct, how about, are independent 
institutions presently being developed to prepare the people to seize 
power? You see, MIM does a great job of creating public opinion, 
attending rallies, publication of MIM Notes, and the distribution of MIM 
Notes, and other social awareness activities, what about the next level, 
(institutions) or when does the next level begin. Do we wait for total 
consciousness to reach the masses? Do we wait for consciousness to reach 
all oppressed people held within the illegal borders of this corrupt 
country? How do we know when one stage of revolutionary consciousness has 
been attained? How do we know its time to move to the next level of 
development?

Many times I write what may see on the surface like constant criticism. 
Yet as I grow mentally/consciously, questions continually bombard my 
psyche. And many times questions are answered through practice, yet 
practice can only be carried so far in my present situation 
(incarceration), so even my personal growth is stunted by my confinement. 
Constant study does not provide many answers, at times it is necessary to 
experience and in the present situation that element is missing.

Yours in solidarity and struggle,

-- A prisoner in Tennessee.

MIM responds: Independent institutions of the oppressed do not need to 
wait until there is total or even wide revolutionary consciousness. As 
articles elsewhere in this issue explain, independent institutions are 
not merely about serving needs like clothing, food, shelter; independent 
institutions also provide education to move people closer to a 
revolutionary understanding. Therefore, it would be backwards to wait 
until all oppressed peoples were revolutionary before building 
independent institutions since they are tools in and of themselves to 
organize.

MIM is leading the development of various types of independent 
institutions currently. In fact, MIM Notes is one such institution and 
the MIM Free Books for Prisoners is another. We are advancing further as 
well.

We're developing the Serve the People Prisoners' Legal Clinic to fight 
legal battles against repression in prison. MIM is also developing a 
Prisoners' Release Program that organizes released prisoners to establish 
their lives upon release, making it possible for them to remain 
politically active on the outside. We are also establishing University 
BARS, an educational program that will offer correspondence courses to 
prisoners by college professors and other educators.

We look to establish new institutions and one of the ways that we are 
pushing this forward is with the MIM-led army, PIRAO. Financial 
constraints are what keep us from expanding our work and PIRAO exists to 
fight these financial battles because at this time in the struggle within 
the imperialist countries this is where we need our army focusing its 
efforts.

We encourage our readers to let us know if they have ideas of 
institutions of the oppressed that we should be setting up and let us 
know, particularly self-funding projects or projects that will expand our 
financial capabilities.

Message to Amerikans:

'Please wake up -- Indiana lock-up pigs are murdering prisoners'

I was jumped on by some racist KKKoppers that work at Wabash Valley. A 
pig used an accusation that I spit on him, this isn't true. The people in 
lock up heard this krime being kommitted on me. They started to protest 
by making noisy sounds so the KKKoppers will stop beating, but this 
didn't work. After the attack, I received medical treatment and filed a 
lawsuit. I also received a conduct report, which I was later found not 
guilty of.

Several days later, the KKKoppers beat yet another prisoner. On this day, 
KKKopper asked a prisoner to fight him. It was one-on-one and prisoner 
beat the dog shit out of him. Later that night, the KKKoppers came to the 
prisoner's cell and broke some ribs and his shoulders. After my comrade 
and I were attacked, our families got in contact with the commissioner, 
and the pigs got fired. They moved my comrade to another prison and kept 
me on the lock up unit. All our medical paperwork came up missing from 
our packets.

Several days later, there were two deaths in lock up, due to a common 
cold and a seizure. In the 1990's people don't die of seizures, let alone 
colds. These prisoners were not given medical treatment. Both families 
found out that their sons were requesting to see the nurse. They were 
denied because they didn't put in a medical slip. At the same time, more 
prisoners were being jumped by the KKKoppers for no reason they can 
justify.

On May 27 of 1999, the KKKoppers jumped and killed a prisoner. They said 
he was sick and choked on his own spit-up, but this isn't true. Several 
prisoners saw the attack and gave a statement to the Indiana State 
Police. However, in their investigation, they said the prisoners were 
lying and they should be punished.

Prisoners at this KKKamp need help because these so-called, people, are 
killing people and getting away with it. Of course, we could react and 
kill some of them. But, what would it solve? They'll just hire more 
KKKoppers and train them to do the same thing. We need some outside help! 
Therefore, I'm taking it upon myself to write and write until I get some 
type of answers of help.

The outside world is so brainwashed into believing that we're nothing but 
dirt. They don't pay attention to what is going on. If people will just 
open their eyes, they'll see these KKKoppers are just as evil and wicked 
as the people they're judging. Until the world makes a stand, many more 
human beings will die in vain up under the sweet Amerikkkan justice 
system. She's proven time after time that she's sour.

 -- an Indiana prisoner.

MIM responds: MIM agrees with this prisoner that staging attacks on the 
pigs is not the correct way to organize. We print this report and others 
on brutality and murder within Amerika's gulags to educate people on the 
outside about the true goings-on within the so-called justice system. We 
take up this form of agitation as part of an overall strategy of building 
independent institutions (like a newspaper, where we can print true news) 
of the oppressed that will grow into a vehicle for proletarian justice.

We do not believe that a system that pays a salary to murderers, while 
calling this a form of "corrections" or "rehabilitation" as the prisons 
like to be known, can be reformed. What this prisoner says about Amerika 
seeing prisoners as dirt is too true, and is structural. We must organize 
for revolution to take power away from the imperialist prison-mongers and 
put it in the hands of the proletariat.