Under Lock and Key

Harassment & brutality in RHU

My fellow comrades, since the state has kidnapped me from my 
family, I've seen many things occur that not only violate myself, 
but my fellow Brothers. For the past 10 months, I've spent my time 
in what they call the RHU. Within these past 10 months, I've spent 
most of it in my cell without access to showers, yard, law 
library, and so forth. At first it was my own choice due to the 
swine playing with my main, legal work, etc. Most recently, I 
started to go out to the yard to gain fresh air and exercise. When 
I started this, I've noticed that some of my personal things were 
tampered with. Instead of staying in my cell, I filed a grievance 
on this matter and continued to go to the yard for my hour period.

Mysteriously, one day when I was in yard, one of the swines 
planted a razor (which we can only have on shower day and our time 
is very limited), 13 highlighters, 2 pencils, and paper clips. 
These things are beyond my reach, for my movement and any movement 
I do make is with swine. I went to my hearing and was found guilty 
and given 60 days added on to my hole time, which is already to 
July 2001.

... Some of my fellow Brothers have been placed in what they call 
a "hard cell" without clothes, mattresses, linen, and so forth, 
for days at a time. All their "hot" meals have been taken away and 
they're given "bagged" meals with bread and one or two slices of 
meat/cheese. This is only the beginning of the madness!

They've taken some of my Brothers out of their cells, sprayed 
pepper spray in their faces, then beat them and placed their heads 
under the shower until drowning point. Then they denied them food 
for days and when there was food, it would have some type of 
object in it -- I've witnessed pieces of rubber gloves, spit, dead 
bugs, and other things in our food.

The madness must stop before one of my Brothers or I get killed. 
It's time to stand up and fight our oppressors with our all. The 
message I am giving to my comrades who read MIM is this: instead 
of fighting our fellow Brothers, let's get together and focus on 
our enemy. We are held against our will in these pernicious 
institutions of slavery and we will continue to be in this 
environment until we, as a whole, get up and fight for what was 
taken from us. My Brothers, we all know what that is. So, come 
together and get what's ours!

-- a Pennsylvania prisoner.

Learn and Make Revolutionary History

You were brought to my attention by a brother in the study group I 
conduct behind these walls. I refuse to sit back and just let my 
brothers be blind to the history they need. It is easy to talk the 
talk but who is ready to stand up and do something about it! I was 
blind to the history until I was assaulted by the officers and 
placed in the box. I had a lot of time to do and that is when I 
picked up my first book "Roots" by Alex Haley. I feel that was a 
start because it went all the way back to the days of slavery and 
how they were "taken" from their land and brought over to the new 
world and forced to be slaves. They (the Europeans) kidnapped 
"Kings" & "Queens" and forced them to be slaves.

It is real strange how black people take knowledge for granted. 
The mere existence of a literate slave was considered to be a 
capital offense more criminal than treason. Those slaves who did 
learn to read and write always did so secretly, furtively, as 
outlaws sneaking off into the night to steal knowledge and the 
power it holds. And if they or their instructors (often 
sympathetic whites, but more often other literate blacks) were 
ever caught, the penalty was frequently death by hanging. In this 
day and age to learn is alright; the only thing is they do not 
teach the children the things that need to be taught. It is our 
job to teach the youth the things they need to be taught. If we do 
not teach them nobody will. ...

Respectfully,

 --a prison comrade in New York.

MIM Responds: This comrade brings up a good point about education. 
The principal task that MIM undertakes in Amerika today is 
building public opinion for a revolution. This means educating 
people about why they should make revolution to end imperialism. 
Educating oneself is an important part of revolutionary practice, 
which is best done in the context of revolutionary struggle. Under 
the current system, the principal problem is not that the 
oppressed take knowledge for granted, rather it is national 
oppression. And national oppression prevents systematic education 
of the masses. We must go beyond the education of individuals and 
build a system toward equal access to education and productive 
life activities.

*********

Voices from Pelican Bay State Pen

I am a political prisoner willing to write the truth to you 
concerning Pelican Bay State Prison's actions against prisoners 
and the issue of the riot. Corruption in the CDC is the main 
issue. The cover up of guards' illegal activities is a general 
practice by the institutional heads. No matter what the case may 
be, according to their rules we are criminal.

All the inmates on B-yard, who were wounded in the riot, now have 
criminal charges against them. No inmate is innocent under PBSP 
policies. Officers will lie to cover up the brutality against 
inmates or the allegations of the officers encouraging [prisoners 
to fight prisoners]. To keep racism alive: as long as we are 
fighting they got jobs!

... We must acknowledge when the shooting took place -- after. All 
the staff got together on B-yard and gave the media one version 
and put together some other version for all the inmates that will 
be convicted. (There will be false reports filed saying each of 
the prisoners ... were seen with a weapon).

Prisoners' rights and quality of life are of no concern to these 
white officers. They are instruments of racism that you and I 
struggle against. They employ racism in their organization, 
outside in society and in the prison for economic gain. This we 
must fight to change!

Forward Ever, Backward Never!

In Solidarity & Struggle,

-- A California Prisoner, 27 March 2000.

I've been asked to write about the recent "riot" here at Pelican 
Bay (PB) for MIM Notes, who are seeking insight on the "incident" 
from a politically conscious prisoner instead of the bourgeois 
media.

Fair enough, but I am not sure if I qualify as a politically 
conscious prisoner who can explain prison events adequately and in 
a sound political context.

Also, even if I could, I would not describe in any detail what 
occurred b/c "the incident" is only one of a long line of effects 
of a system (the cause) that is 100% corrupt.

I am in the SHU (held since 1992) of PB and the incident occurred 
in the general population of PB. I have also been in the 
California prison system since 1979, except for 18 months.

I believe a few more points need to be noted before continuing for 
you to know where, what perspective, this view is coming from, to 
properly evaluate and digest. Finally, I must note, soy un 
chicano.

The morning of the incident was like every morning in the SHU, 
cold walls, cold food, and cold thoughts. Even when the incident 
occurred it was still much like every morning, which includes an 
incident somewhere in the prison. Most incidents, anywhere in the 
prison, are followed by the "slamming of the program" in the SHU.

The slamming of the program in SHU is more than an oxymoron and 
more akin to a sick joke, which (even sicker) occurs, on average, 
3 or 4 times a week. In the SHU. The "no program" program. 

Word of the extent of the incident began trickling in via the 
grapevine, soon followed by news briefs on the radio and tv. A 
"full blown riot" was on, or was it? (Note: my interpretation of 
"riot" is an uprising, which is why I use the term incident. As by 
effect, so not to minimize or blame, save for "the cause").

As the afternoon became evening, numbers began appearing in the 
news reports: "350 prisoners involved, 1 dead, 2 near death, 
scores shot and a multitude stabbed". My later understanding is 
that less than 100, more closer to 60, were involved. The vast 
majority were unarmed but nearly all sustained some type of 
injury, whether shot (a total of 16, 5 of which were alleged 
victims) or stabbed, punched or kicked. Some were even shot and 
stabbed.

The person shot and killed outright, a 23 year old man, was shot 
in the back of his head.

The days which followed were filled with images of rioting 
prisoners on every stations' news. However, what these news 
stations failed to mention that the footage shown over and over 
was in fact old footage from previous incidents, grouped together 
to seem like one. This, of course, was done to "justify" once 
again, the fatal attacks of the system, by placing the blame 
entirely on the prisoners.

From the belly of the Bay,

-- A California Prisoner 23 March 2000.

*****************

Ad Seg in Montana

I am an inmate here at Montana State Prison who is currently 
classified in Maximum Security Administrative Segregation 
(disciplinary).

I have been housed in Max since August, 1990. During this time 
frame I have spent 199 days in T/L (temporary lock-up) Detention 
Block, with a straight non-stop T/L period for 108 days.

During all my detention time I never received one single exercise 
period, and I even spent a considerable amount of time in a cell 
without any sunlight whatsoever (no window) in violation of 
federal guidelines regarding prisoners' rights to healthy 
exercise. No detention inmates get exercise.

During my meager 51 days in regular Ad-Seg Block, myself and 
others have constantly been denied our every-other day yard 
exercise period when Sgt. Stacklin's running the Unit.

There have been a variety of excuses for depriving us of yard time 
ranging from "You're being punished" (no formal disciplinary 
action) to "We didn't feel like giving it to you today."

I believe my rights and entitlements to healthy living conditions 
including some exercise periods are being violated and I request 
that somebody help us fix this issue, as the prison refuses to 
obey the law.

--a Montana Prisoner, 5 April 2000.

Prisoners are treated like trash

I salute you and send my respect to you all for having the courage 
to print your newsletter and express your views.

I received a copy of one of your newsletters from a prisoner who 
receives your publication and shares your views and ideals.

I strongly agree with the majority of the thoughts expressed in 
your newsletter; and I applaud your determination in spreading the 
truth despite efforts put forth by the blind, narcissistic dogs 
who have tried and are still trying to stop all the stronghearted 
soldiers from learning the truth.

I myself am a 19 year old Hispanic and Native American (Chicano 
and Apache) male. I am 4 1/2 years into a natural life sentence 
followed consecutively by 180 years.

I read about some of the physical abuse and torture that 
inmates/prisoners across the country have been subjected to.

I myself have been degraded, disrespected, and treated like so 
much garbage since the first day I stepped into the Florida 
Department of Corrections.

Just recently I was told to turn around to be handcuffed -- when I 
did, three officers jumped on me and beat me. Then I was 
handcuffed and beat for a significant amount of time. Then, to go 
along with the beating I was put on what is called Close 
Management Status (CM). I was placed in the longest class -- 37 
months -- to sit and rot. I know you all know what CM is -- every 
state has got its variation.

But I am a warrior and a survivor. They may have beaten me -- but 
they'll never break me. I stand fast for what I believe in and cow 
down to no man -- especially these racist pigs.

I am writing to ask that I be placed on your mailing list to 
receive your publication. I don't have any money to send now, but 
if I ever come up I'll send what I can. 

Thanks for taking the time. I would like to send a clenched fist 
raised high and proud to all of those who believe in the truth and 
struggle for it. Stay strong and keep your head held proud! Viva 
la Raza!

A vato who feels your pain,

-- A prisoner in Florida.

Combat reading diet of murder, sex and the Bible with MIM

When I first wrote seeking free books and literature, I was faced 
with a reading diet of murder mysteries, sex stories, westerns, 
and the bible. I wrote a bunch of letters and have received many 
responses. I have now been FLOODED with non-fiction reading 
material. I feel and believe that I have a duty and obligation to 
read all literature that is sent to me because I asked for free 
literature.

You should know that it has been over 20 years since the last time 
that I wrote a book report. Please let me know if you still want 
me to write a book review.

-- an Illinois prisoner, 21 January 2000.

MIM responds: We hope that our comrades will never shy away from 
work for fear of not being "expert" enough to complete a task. We 
ask comrades who receive books from our Free Books for Prisoners 
program to review these books, or to write articles based on the 
theory and history within. A Serve the People program runs on the 
people organizing to meet their own basic needs, which includes 
educating. This means you learn by doing, and those most qualified 
to learn and do are the ones with the political commitment, not 
the ones with the polished academic training and skills. If we 
look first to skill and experience, we find ourselves relying on 
those who are capable but may not be willing. Maybe they will find 
someone who wants to pay for their skills and they will follow the 
money. Or maybe they will just get bored and go find some other, 
non-political hobby. If we look to those who are driven to their 
work by politics then we find ourselves relying on comrades who 
are dedicated to pursuing the political goals of the oppressed and 
who will build their skills along the way, always donating those 
skills to the service of the people.

Censorship of Spanish in Amerika's Military Prisons

This letter has been written for two purposes. First, I would like 
to thank your organization for being so kind in attempting to 
provide me with your MIM Notes. However, I regret to inform you 
that the United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) has censored 
and withheld all 4 issues that you have sent me.

Both January and February's issues have been denied to me and the 
other prisoners at this institution. The Publication Advisory 
Board (PAB) at the USDB has censored your publication under the 
guise that it "Contains contraband, is written in code or is a 
non-English language publication."

Basically, the USDB is rejecting MIM Notes because of the one page 
featuring the "Notas Rojas." At least this is their excuse. I have 
appealed all four denials to the [military prisoncrats]. Both have 
denied my appeals.

The USDB has been very abusive in their censorship of mail and 
publications. They have arbitrarily censored and withheld mail and 
publications without any valid penalogical goals or interests. 
They have censored items such as MIM Notes, Prison Legal News, 
People En Espanol, Latina, and correspondence in other languages 
than English. I have just finally won a 9 month battle with the 
USDB to allow me to correspond with my mother, grandmother, and 
relatives who are Puerto Ricans and don't speak, read, or write in 
any language other than Spanish.

I would like to challenge their policy of rejecting MIM Notes by 
filing a First Amendment lawsuit, but at this time I cannot as my 
direct appeals have not been finalized, and therefore I have not 
been discharged from the US Army. Because of this simple fact, the 
Feres doctrine decided by the US Supreme Court does not allow me 
to sue the Armed Forces as long as I am on active duty.

I hope there is something you can do about it. We would really 
like to receive MIM Notes.

--A Kansas Prisoner, 26 March 2000.

MIM adds:  MIM generally does not take on specific legal cases. 
Our methods of fighting censorship in the short-run involve 
organizing supporters to fight winnable legal battles or to build 
censorship protest campaigns. Work that we organize is always 
within the primary context of fighting imperialism and building 
further opposition. We offer limited legal reference materials to 
politically active prisoners, funded by MIM's Free Books for 
Prisoners Program. And we have resources organized through the 
development of the Prisoners' Legal Clinic, mostly written by 
other comrades in prison. We encourage all comrades in prison to 
continue to sum up their struggles against censorship so that the 
information can be utilized by others.

Lousianna prisoner speaks out

I have of late been speaking with several of my imprisoned 
brothers about MIM's purpose and ideology.  In my communications I 
have discovered that many of these men are very aware of the 
unfair and extremely arbitrary practices within this U$ (il)legal 
system.  They are also in dire need of direction from a guiding, 
proper force such as MIM.

I have been incarcerated because I didn't have enough money, 
history of illicit favors, nor the desire to exist forever in a 
dreadful state of lies and deceit.  Well, we are among those who 
are rich and getting richer, and the poor are getting screwed at 
every turn without justice, equality, or people giving-a-damn. ...

We all have a job and it's about time we went about it.  I am a 
firm believer in balance and balance can be felt and exchanged 
only if one is not too immersed in the Amerikan way of 
materialistic and capitalistic (anti)values.

-- a Louisiana Prisoner, 25 April 2000.

Lock down in Florida

If you need my help in anything please feel free to ask, and send 
me more information. As for me, I am doing time in the pan-handle 
in Florida 13 hours away from my family and kid. They have put me 
on a status called Close Management(CM). This is lock down in your 
room 24 hours 7 days a week except for 2 to 3 hours of recreation 
once a week in a small cave-looking fenced area. Showers are 3 
times a week for 2 or 3 minutes only. We are supposed to have 2 or 
3 hours of day room privilege to watch TV according to the rules. 
I've been in lock down 18 months and haven't seen the day room. In 
the summer it gets real hot and you have to be with a roommate 
24/7, in a room for years with the same person, no room to breath. 
If you get on the door to socialize with others, they write you up 
and give you more time. They go by 3 categories (CM1) 36 months, 
(CM2) 24 months, (CM3) 13 months locked down. They don't allow us 
to share books or pass nothing. It's very hard but I keep my head 
up.

Peace Out,

-- a Florida prisoner.

Account of Michigan prison lockdown

... Thank you very much for keeping me on the mailing list. After 
reading the update letter, I've been trying to determine where I 
can be of assistance. This prison kamp is not really conducive to 
engaging in real political agitation and organizing. I am part of 
a small study group that attempts to critically analyze our 
conditions concretely. We pass on information to our fellow 
kaptives and encourage everyone to study. We at this prison kamp 
are not allowed to receive donated books. However, the prison 
library is set up to receive book donations if the books are in 
relatively good condition. Our library has very little updated 
books on politics from a progressive point of view. So perhaps MIM 
could donate some books to the general library?

There has been a stepped up program of total lockdowns for the 
purpose of searching the prison for contraband. However, very 
little contraband was found. Mainly kaptives lost personal items 
like stamps, books, and personal letters and photos. One guy I 
know who is New Afrikan, had pictures of his white female friend 
confiscated mysteriously during the big shakedown.

Let me explain the new methods of total lockdown. One morning, a 
large contingent of prison guards silently crept into housing 
units 400-C and 400-D and ordered us kaptives to get dressed and 
exit our cells to be escorted down to the gym. Of course, they 
searched us before allowing us to leave the housing units. We were 
not allowed to use the toilets until we arrived at the gym. 250 
men stood in line to use three toilets and two urinals. We were 
told we could either go eat breakfast OR go to the gym and use the 
toilet. Very few people went to eat because most had been awaken 
after having slept all night. Most people have to relieve 
themselves when they first wake up in the morning. So it was to 
the toilet or the chowhall. I went to the toilet.

We were kept in the gym until after 2PM at which time we were 
ordered back to the housing units to remain in our cells another 
three hours.

A different day, this same routine was repeated but directed only 
at unit 400-C. We stayed in the gym four hours before allowed to 
return to our cells. ...

The guards come in dressed in black jumpsuits and paratrooper 
boots. They wear helmets and carry shields and long wooden batons, 
pepper spray and handcuffs. Their demeanor is akin to nazi storm 
troopers and they are hostile and menacing.

I don't like the idea of the sneaking in the early like that and 
locking the entire prison down without notice to the community. 
But this is the belly of the beast and they have the power.

My fellow kaptives didn't like the stepped up repression but no 
one challenged the goons. They, male and female alike, were very 
confrontational. Prisoners are not organized to defend against 
gestapo tactics. I suggest to those who will listen, to educate 
themselves as to what they are up against and then to educate 
their outside family and friends. Then I suggest that they have 
their family and friends organize as concerned citizens about the 
going ons in these kamps. Many people think its beyond their 
ability to impact the operation of these kamps, but a few people 
do write letters and call the warden about how they treat us.

I don't have a problem sharing my experience with those who want 
to learn and listen. I will have served 27 years come October 1999 
for killing a drug dealer during a robbery. I have seen many 
changes over the years. And in many respects, it has never been 
worse.

Well, thanks against for the newsletters and information.

The Struggle Continues,

-- A Michigan prisoner, 7 August 1999.

*********

Untitled

Behind walls of stone you confined me, away from society's eyes.

In cages of steel you lock me, where no one hears my cries.

There's no reason to look towards tomorrow, for it will be the 
same as today, pacing inside a 6 by 9 as my sanity slowly slips 
away.

I walk the prison yard with no purpose other than to survive.

I scream at you in your gun towers just to let you know I'm still 
alive.

Someday soon, or years from now when I again walk among the free, 
will society have to pay the price for what they allowed their 
system to do to

me?

by an ex-prisoner in Michigan

27 March, 2000.

*****

Struggle of Life

 Is this life really worth livin
 In a world that is supposed to be about
 Love, sharing and caring
 Where a brother is a brother
 And a sister is a sister
 Where understanding is the
 Key to unity amongst those
 In struggle to save a community
 Where peace is the ultimate goal
 Of blackman kind and the human soul
 In this life, it seems this is
 Contrary to the realm of reality
 For a people looking for equality
 In a world full of despair,
 Greed, poverty and pain.
 Where Black life still bound by chains
 Their minds manipulated by tricks
 And impure social politics
 Their hearts consumed by
 Confusion, anger and hate
 Filled with materialism, selfishness,
 Ignorance, and lust
 Unable to empathize, nor trust.
 So now I ask,
 Is life worth livin???
 The answer is an unequivocal yes!!
 The struggle is my conquest.

--a New Jersey Prisoner.