Under Lock and Key

Censorship and Palante study group

First, on behalf of myself and on behalf of the many voices that 
have been muted throughout the years, thank you for your 
continuous efforts on delivering the truth to the masses of people 
in the "free world" and within these concentration camps.

You were correct when you stated that you believe that my MIM 
Notes and other MIM materials have been continuously getting 
censored.  I haven't received any MIM issues since around January 
of this year.  These pigs continue to use a lame excuse to reject 
my material but in all actually their main purpose is to stop us 
from getting knowledge on the real issues of the world.  

The MDOC states that MIM material is a threat to the order and 
security of the institution but there is no proof whatsoever to 
back their claim.  Since my unwilling and unlawful incarceration I 
have yet to see or even hear about any incidents within these 
institutions that were motivated and/or promoted by any MIM 
publication. MIM has done nothing but spread the truth about this 
unjust and evil capitalist government.

We must keep our minds working and know that anything that man 
creates is full of faults and there is a way around these false 
issues that the MDOC has been implementing.

According to the MDOC mail policy 05.03.118 (effective date 11-30-
1998) page 7 of 10, states in part under prohibited mail, "A book, 
magazine, or newspaper received from any source other than 
directly from the publisher or vendor authorized by the facility.  
This does not include an article on a single page from a magazine 
or newspaper that may be included with a letter or other mail, 
unless it is reasonably believed to be an attempt to circumvent 
this restriction.  A legitimate distributor of publication for a 
publisher shall be treated as a publisher."

If some comrades have someone in the streets that they can trust, 
they can send the restricted items from MIM to that person and the 
receiver can cut out all other articles and send them to the 
hostage.  In return, the hostage can make copies and/or find 
another individual with a typewriter or use a typewriter in the 
law library where available and type some articles and distribute 
them to other hostages so that we can shine light on  the 
struggle.

We must use our minds, the purpose is to educate by any means.

Next issue: My opinion on your letter based on the Palante Study 
Group.  First, it is truly gracious to see comrades reaching out 
to other comrades being held hostage within these concentration 
camps.  

The Young Lords Party is a plain and perfect example of struggle 
amongst the Puerto Rican nation within the borders of the U$ and 
within Puerto Rico itself.

One of the many issues that I strongly agree with that the Young 
Lords stood strongly by was the opposition of the Amerikkkan 
military.  The U$ has taken full advantage of their military 
power.  A prime example is the abuse of power being demonstrated 
in Kosovo.  How in hell do you obtain peace by bombing someone 
into submission?  YOU CAN'T! The Young Lords stood for all 
oppressed nations.  They wanted to see the liberation of all 
people and not just the liberation of the Puerto Rican nation.

We can learn from the mistakes that were committed by the Young 
Lords, Black Panthers, and the many revolutionary organizations 
form the 60s and the 70s.  The purpose of history is so that we 
may know what mistakes or achievements were accomplished by those 
before us. We can continue to carry the messages that the Young 
Lords were bringing to the masses of people.

In conclusion, I thank you once again for all that you have done 
and continue to do to bring awareness to the people.  Please 
continue to send me articles on the issues of Puerto Rico, Young 
Lords, and if you are able, can you forward me any addresses of 
any Puerto Rican organizations like NETA or the likes?

I leave you in the spirit of our revolutionary forefathers and 
proudly shout "VIVA LA REVOLUCION, VIVA PUERTO RICO LIBRE."

Your Puerto Rican comrade,

-- A Michigan Prisoner, May 1999.

MIM adds: The above censorship tactic being used in Michigan has, 
at least temporarily, been shot down by MIM, RAIL and prisoners in 
Massachusetts, see page 9 this issue. MIM is currently going the 
rounds with prisoncrats in Michigan. If it is not the 'publisher 
only' regulation, it is prisoncrats saying that literature with 
the Puerto Rican flag on it is 'gang' literature. Correspondence, 
despite having more legal leeway, has also been censored. After 
asking one prisoncrat the purpose of censoring letters, he 
ultimately demonstrated that he had no reason and that it was 
merely censored because it came from MIM. The above suggestion for 
dealing with censorship may help here and there, but ultimately 
our anti-censorship campaign is about demonstrating that there is 
no freedom of speech under the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie and 
that genuine justice necessitates socialist revolution. 
Tactically, we must continue to seek solutions that deal the most 
effective blows against prison censorship. We suggest that 
Michigan prisoners (and those in other states) continue the 
process of institutional grievance procedures, then keep a record 
of your complaints and the process for when you and/or MIM allies 
on the outside can fight the battles legally. Our anti-censorship 
work must first be in the context of building opposition to 
Amerikan imperialism and support for national liberation and 
socialism. Within that context, we seek supporters who will assist 
in coordinating the anti-censorship battles and fighting winnable 
battles that give us more maneuverability for organizing.

Thrown in the hole for refusing to cut his hair

Currently I am serving an 18th month SHU term for failure to 
comply with the revised hair grooming standards of the California 
departmental rules and regulations, title 15, sec. 3062. Numerous 
rule violations, for failure to comply, and continued harassment 
eventually led to a physical altercation with one of these fascist 
pigs (tho its never a fair fight), resulting in my being given the 
18 month SHU term-special management placement.

Behind the walls of California maximum security prisons 
(especially SHU placement), the treatment and conditions of 
prisoners is barbaric and inhumane. A list of negligence includes, 
but is not limited to, 1) cold meals and inadequate portions; 2) 
the issue of used and damaged clothing; 3) unsanitary living 
conditions- inadequate supplies to clean cells; 4) exorbitant 
prices of canteen items; 5) inadequate exercise time (yard), and 
sports equipment; 6) excessive strip searches and cell searches; 
7) inadequate library (i.e. educational material); 8) inadequate 
access to legal books, material, and inadequate time; 9) verbal 
and physical abuse; 10) handcuffed and escorted everywhere.

My disdain in regards to the treatment and conditions (depravation 
and degradation) of prisoners grows, with daily occurrences as 
constant reminders (slaps). I refused to be silenced, or hindered 
in the endeavor to awake the conscience and consciousness of my 
peers. We utilize the material/books that you send us to the 
fullest. We share the material and have group discussions when 
possible. There is subtle, but definite change in the general 
mentality of some. With patience, study and discipline we are 
beginning to learn the difference between the revolutionary, 
seeking to dismantle and destroy the order and infrastructure, who 
identifies with economic exploitation, political repression, and 
social discrimination, and the reactionary, victimized by reform, 
who mistakenly believes that capitalism and true democracy can 
coexist in the same order. "Seeds are planted, the harvest is yet 
to come." The struggle continues.

 -- A California Prisoner 3 October 1999.

Don't be a Criminal Star

Don't be a criminal star, because you won't get far, the most 
whine-up behind bars with plenty of negative mental scars, or six 
feet under and that's no wonder.

A criminal star is a person that does negative things and even 
steals just to be slick as life plays a dirty trick and them wrong 
doings will end.  I once knew a criminal star as my friend, that 
did everything right, he went to church, A.A. and N.A. and told us 
to be right, Oh, was he a sight.

He was released from prison and that was the IDOC decision, two 
weeks later he was found shot in the head and pronounced dead, 
because he was out doing drugs and killing, only because he could, 
it all happened in his neighborhood, which goes to say that a 
criminal star will do his time and step out in society for a 
bigger and better crime.

And it's really sad to hear others say, "when I get out I'm 
selling drugs, or I'm getting high, or I'm getting my money anyway 
I can."

That's a criminal star without a life plan, and they won't get 
far.  So please, don't be a criminal star.

 -- An Illinois Prisoner

MIM adds:  This poem is a good start. It demonstrates an important 
point -- that human beings have limitless potential. But 
throughout Amerika, the criminal INjustice system warehouses 
prisoners without any attempt to help them rehabilitate or educate 
themselves or one another. Even after the Chinese people seized 
state power and built a socialist society, there were prisons. MIM 
is not for the abolition of prisons. But we look at Maoist China 
as a positive example of prisons that enabled prisoners to build 
skills, political understanding and self-respect and respect for 
society.

We encourage the above prisoner and others to work with us to 
build study groups and political education groups that lead 
prisoners in building a correct understanding of oppression and 
imperialism. The primary target is imperialism, not people on the 
streets. And selling drugs is just a way of becoming a pawn of the 
imperialists. We encourage released prisoners to hook up with MIM 
on the outside. We have something real for you to do with your 
lives -- build opposition to oppressed. MIM's Released Prisoners 
Program is small, but growing, and we need dedicated prisoners to 
become dedicated released revolutionaries.

No money, no medical care

Exposing the truth from the inside of the beast is what needs to 
be done. Speaking on "prisoners being forced to pay for medical 
care" is what I would like to bring to your attention. I have a 
.45 cal bullet in my neck which I received during the alleged 
crime. I've made numerous attempts, filed numerous requests, and 
taken numerous trips to medical. Only to be told that the computer 
said I shouldn't be in any pain. Also I've been told on numerous 
occasions that in order to have the bullet removed, I'll have to 
pay for it myself. I'm in this state alone with no family...

--A South Carolina prisoner, 6 December 1999.

MIM adds: Many prisoners who write MIM explain that health care is 
not adequate and not accessible in Amerika's prisons. The rednecks 
would say that's because the prisoners committed crimes. But MIM 
comes at the question from a proletarian perspective. The most 
destructive and murderous crimes have been committed by the 
imperialists, their lackeys and their death squads (from death 
squads in El Salvador to death squads wearing blue in 
Philadelphia). If prison were really about punishment for crimes, 
we'd start by sentencing Clinton for continuing genocide against 
Iraqis and other Third World peoples. Analyzing the denial of 
medical care in Amerikan prisons must start from this point.

But even if we seized state power tomorrow and put Clinton in 
Florence Supermax, he would still be provided with adequate 
medical care. Of course, the difference is that Clinton would 
actually have to produce something of value in prison.

MIM is currently leading the "Under Lock & Key 2000" campaign. 
This campaign is geared toward increasing agitation against 
prisons. We ask that prisoners send art, essays, research, 
interviews etc pertaining to the different themes of each month 
(see Jan 1st issue). November is focused on health care in 
prisons. It is not too early to start sending us submissions. We'd 
suggest that the writer above (and others) make detailed accounts 
of what medical facilities are available where you are at and add 
anecdotes from prisoners about their experiences.

Struggle to unite for revolution

First of all, allow me to clench fist salute my MIM comrades for 
your continued devotion to this mass struggle. I've been away only 
in "pen" but not in heart.

I have a message for all my Black and Latino comrades throughout 
the U$, confined to these lock-down control units, to put your 
(family) differences aside, and band together your resources to 
enhance this struggle. The prison administration likes to call 
family members STG's (Special Threat Groups) or gangs, and all of 
"you" are making their job so easy by fighting "each other." And 
for what? I don't want to hear that crap about "he disrespected 
us" or that color flag stuff!

These pig devils will beat you down and have you afraid to come 
out of your cells, and very few of us will even file a 
grievance/complaint. Yet we will stab and beat each other down in 
a heart beat! My Latino comrades, stop the war! My Black comrades, 
stop the war! Why are you all (and me) making it so easy for Gov. 
Bush to ask and get more of our poor hardworking families' tax 
dollars to build more of these new millennium plantations? 

If you see a pig slam or beat somebody down it is your business! 
Ask for a witness form and file it, then file a grievance 
complaint. I know a lot of y'all think the grievance system is a 
joke, and I tend to agree, but the courts have limited our rights 
and the trick is to file in numbers. They are so slick here in 
Texas that they have now limited the number of grievances we can 
file from 3 a week to one every 7 days.

Together we are strong and we got to stop looking the other way, 
because sooner or later it will be your turn to get lied on, 
slammed and beat down. For my comrades here in Texas ad-seg, write 
your unit law library for the "New Ad-Seg Plan", and fill out a 
law book form and request "Ruiz v. Gary Johnson Memorandum 
Opinion" and read them! We have to empower ourselves with 
knowledge and when I say stop the wars I mean all my east, west, 
north ands south comrades in struggle.

Peace Out,

 -- A Texas Ad-Seg Prisoner, 15 October 1999.

Stop violence against each other and study Black history instead!

This communique is in regards to the fact that I'm interested in 
receiving MIM Notes. A few months back my subscription was cut 
off. You are still in the revolution business I would surmise, if 
not please do forward response explaining why you have given up. 
If not please forward me the issue of MIM Notes in progress at 
this time for I want to read about what is going on in the 
struggle for the prisoners and the masses of people as a whole. 

Here at the X unit located at Y prison we as prisoners on close 
custody are being treated in every degradation manner known to 
mankind, except I must excuse assaults by officers on inmates, 
this has seemed to cease, even the assaults on guards by inmates, 
but the stabbings of inmates on inmates are outrageous. These 
fellow convicts of mine are caught up in gang violence. This is 
one of the reasons I need for you to restart my subscription of 
MIM Notes, for I want unity, but my fellow inmates want 
separation. I would say at this time I'm Martin Luther King, Jr. 
and they are Malcolm X seeking separation.

In the month of July 1999 there were 9 stabbings on this unit--all 
were gang related stabbings. Four of the stabbings took place at 
one time--this is ridiculous. Although I'm surrounded with gang 
members who have no remorse for the human life, I'm separated from 
them to a certain degree, my association is very limited with them 
for they are unable to see the turnip for the greens.

It's not about fighting one another, but the system as a whole. . 
. .

A brother can really get himself together here if he takes out 
time to read and study. . . .Most inmates have poor reading 
skills, although reading on a daily basis will help improve their 
reading skills, but they fail to do this. Only 1 inmate in 75 will 
have a dictionary in his cell--this is a pity. . . .We are a 
pitiful people to a certain extent to when we don't want to 
sacrifice for the betterment of our conditions, which we should 
put forth the effort to do this on our own instead of relying on 
the prison system.. . .If I want to know my own history, why does 
the prison system deny me [Black history and literature], for many 
black authors are denied by the prison mailroom. Surely that's all 
they have to see that it shows some form of blackness, then 
censorship it goes, and boy do they peruse the black author books 
here in Y prison. . . Please print this letter for the gang 
members who are for separation and to acknowledge those who are 
for bettering their conditions that it can be done if they 
sacrifice and purchase their own books or borrow the books of 
those that have them. . .I am one of them who have these books 
awaiting the brother that shows interest in the betterment of 
himself and his people.

In solidarity,

 -- A Texas prisoner, August 1999.

MIM responds: We appreciate being asked to defend ourselves if we 
have in fact given up the struggle. However, we are still going 
strong--it may be that this prisoner's mail and literature is 
being censored. We agree that to the extent prisoners are fighting 
each other, this takes time and energy away from study and 
building for revolution. MIM runs a Free Books for Prisoners 
Program, and if you cannot afford to purchase literature we can 
send it to you for free. We do ask that you share it with others, 
and form study groups. This writer also reminds us that censorship 
is rampant throughout prisons in Amerika--and we need your help to 
continue fighting it!

One of the things we advocate this prisoner study is the history 
of Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party. Many claim that their 
revolutionary nationalism was 'seperatist' as this writer alludes 
to. However, revolutionary nationalism is about seizing state 
power by oppressed peoples to determine their own destinies. The 
Black Panther Party was Maoist and fought for national liberation, 
MIM carries on this legacy today. This means that we know that the 
current imperialist system is a dictatorship of the bourgeoisie 
and there is no way that the integrationism advocated by MLK 
during the majority of his life leads toward equality. There may 
be token reforms -- carrot and stick type -- that create a façade 
of growing equality within the imperialist system. But there 
cannot be genuine equality, justice and liberation without 
national liberation. The differences put forward by the oppressor 
between MLK and Malcolm X appear to be something this prisoner has 
assumed to be true. And the mere fact that Amerika criminalizes 
proletarian internationalism and the fact that Amerika teaches the 
history that best serves its own interests adds more reason to why 
national liberation is necessary and integrationism won't work.