We have received word that prison activist Shaka Shakur is slated to be transferred back to a control unit prison. Shaka spent many years at the Maximum Control Complex control unit prison in Westville, Indiana where he struggled from the inside to shut it down. Now the Indiana DOC wants to send him back to a control unit prison--the SHU unit [Security Housing Unit] at the Wabash Valley Correctional Center.
We are asking for you to make calls, faxes and letters to Commissioner Debruyn and Superintendent Al C. Park (addresses and numbers are listed below). Shaka has devoted much energy to seeing the movement grow on the inside and the outside - this is a retaliatory move the Indiana DOC that must be stopped.
Commissioner Debruyn, 804 State Office Building, 100 N. Senate, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 317- 232-5715, FAX: 317-232-6798
Superintendent Al C. Park, Indiana State Prison, P.O. Box 41,
Michigan City, IN 46360, Phone: 219- 874-7258, FAX: 219-874-9001
Please send a copy of your letters to Shaka at: Shaka Shakur, 28443, Indiana State Prison, P.O. Box 41, Michigan City, IN 46360
SAMPLE LETTER TO SEND/FAX TO THE ABOVE OFFICIALS:
Dear Sir,
I am writing regarding the upcoming transfer of Shaka Shakur DOC 28443. He is currently incarcerated at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City and is slated to be transferred to the Wabash Valley Correctional Center--more specifically, the SHU. Mr. Shakur has spent the last two weeks in the infirmary at Indiana State Prison and is in need of direct medical attention. He has already been sent to an outside specialist once and is scheduled for an EMG by an outside specialist very soon. Mr. Shakur is finally receiving treatment for his medical situation which has been ignored for almost a year by the staff at Indiana State Prison. Mr. Shakur is on crutches and must be moved about the prison via wheelchair.
It would be unconstitutional to transfer Mr. Shakur to the SHU Unit, a high security disciplinary unit. The SHU would not be capable of handling Mr. Shakur's medical situation. Mr. Shakur has served time at the Maximum Control Complex in Westville, Indiana. The Taifa v. Bayh settlement mandates that all inmates be placed in general population upon release from MCC. It would seem that this transfer is in retaliation for the filed petition about the unhealthy conditions--leaking roofs, rats, etc.-- currently existing at Indiana State Prison that has brought in the Indiana Department of Health.
If it is not in retaliation of prisoners trying to keep themselves
free of disease, why are they not being transferred to other open
units at Indiana State Prison?--when the space does exist. Mr.
Shakur must not be sent to the SHU, and this medical situation must
be given highest priority.
Sincerely,
[your name here]
INFORMATION ON SHAKA SHAKUR
My name is Shaka Shakur. I am a 28 year old New Afrikan Political Prisoner and member of the New Afrikan Independence Movement (NAIM) fighting for the liberation of the Republic of New Afrika, in the Southeast part of the united states. At the age of 16 I was arrested and charged with the erroneous charge of "attempted robbery." I was railroaded/convicted and illegally sentenced to 30 years. Despite the fact that I was charged with the wrong crime and illegally sentenced to 30 years (when by law I should have received no more than 8 years), I have served 12 and a half years of this sentence.
While in prison I embarked upon a journey of self- education and politicization. I became a politically conscious and a politically active prisoner. A prisoner who understands the socio- economic relationship and role of my imprisonment. A politically conscious prisoner who understands the overall political ramifications of the u.s. domestic genocidal policy of mass incarceration of New Afrikan (Black) people in particular and all oppressed working class people in general.
With the transformation of my character and sense of political awareness, for approximately the last ten years, I have made a conscious effort to educate, politicize, and organize my fellow prisoners. I have implemented numerous programs at my own sacrifice and persecution, to help ensure that those of Us who are released return back to the community as assets instead of predators.
I have been active in working with both inside and outside civil and human rights organizations, political organizations and some progressive attorneys. I have worked with some of these political organizations in not only trying to alleviate some of the third world conditions We exist in inside these prisons, but also to expose such blatant contradictions to the public/world, of a hypocritical system that proclaims to be a democracy. As a result of such actions and efforts I have been targeted for brutalization, harassment and torture both mentally and physically. As a result of exercising what is supposed to be a human right, I have been discriminated against and politically persecuted by those who are supposed to be sworn to uphold the "law."
The Indiana Judicial System has refused to abide by its own colonial judicial laws, by not reversing an illegal conviction. In at least ten other cases, with issues identical to mine, the court has ruled for new trials. However, in my case, the courts have refused to apply the same principles of law. They have chosen instead, for political reasons, to discriminate and allow an illegal conviction to stand. The State of Indiana has instead chosen to deny me a new trial as dictated by their own law. Why? Because I have chosen to pledge my allegiance to a set of principles and politics that the enemies of freedom fear.
Because I have chosen to dedicate my life to the upliftment of humanity, to the betterment of my community. I am forced to remain illegally held in a dungeon. I am forced to be held inside an "administrative segregation" unit under close supervision and monitoring, under restrictive movement. In spite of the fact that I have not had a serious rule violation in over two years. I am fighting for a new trial. Help me force Indiana to abide by its own laws and discontinue its political persecution. I have done my time and paid my dues.
In the spirit of commitment and struggle,
--Shaka Shakur, 6/24/95
BRUTALITY AT THE SCOTTS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR WOMEN
From a very reliable and confidential source inside the Scotts Correctional Facility (SCF) in Plymouth, Michigan, it has been reported that on July 31, 1995, in the housing unit "Essex," a woman was found in a coma.
Sources have revealed that this woman was sadistically beaten by seven women prisoners who've been caught. This savage beating was supposed to be over a $4,000 drug deal gone bad. The irony of the story is that the woman beaten was tied up and gagged and locked in a maximum security area where only the officer has a key to let the prisoner into her cell. This would suggest that the seven women who beat this woman into a coma had to be let in in order to carry out their deed. This would suggest that an official knew and allowed this act to happen.
The federal government had officials at the SCF and was looking into this issue and past issues in which the feds had been investigating.
We are beginning to see within the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) a build-up of abuse and attacks against prisoners whether directly or through indirect means. For example; the incident at the Michigan Parole Camp where six corrections officers strangled an inmate on July 13, 1995 because the officers thought he had swallowed some drugs. While this prisoner was down on the ground and handcuffed he began to choke from the officers attempting to force him to open his mouth. In addition the officers had lost the handcuff keys whereby they were unable to uncuff the prisoner's hands while he lay dying. However the officials, very neatly had all the witnessing inmates transferred to higher security facilities. There has been no substantial news coverage of this incident, which suggests that the MDOC is attempting to 'cover this up.'
There was also an incident at the Charles Egeler Correctional Facility (SMN) where one corrections officer attacked and assaulted an inmate by punching and slamming this inmate into a wall. This officer had to be restrained by another corrections officer. Pending the investigation of this incident, the assaultive officer has been suspended and the inmate who was assaulted has been transferred from the Egeler facility.
These brutal acts by MDOC employees can only occur if the higher officials in Lansing, Michigan turn a blind eye to what is happening within the prison system, which for the most part is what they have done. The public is fed a bunch of lies and rarely does the public show a concern about "human rights violation" unless mass media attention is brought on the subject. Something must be done. If these acts continue to occur, then I fear that we will see an explosion unlike Michigan has ever witnessed and there will be many people dead, maimed or in other dehumanizing conditions throughout the prison system.
If Michigan wants a "Lucasville" to take place, continue to be silent.
--a Michigan prisoner, 8/14/95
SEVERE LOCK-DOWN IN TEXAS
MIM has received letters from nine prisoners from the same unit in a Texas prison. They all wrote similar letters about the oppressive conditions and abuses they face:
Dear Comrade,
I'm writing in regards to my and many more prisoners' present condition. Currently myself and about 100 to 160 more prisoners are suffering tumult and oppression at the hands of high level officials here on the Terrell Unit.
The administration on this unit has unprofessionally and biasedly placed us on "Institutional Lock-Down" for the offense of one individual, whom they have in segregation. We have been denied a hot meal for over a month now. Sometimes the meat they feed us is spoiled. Many times the chicken salad will contain bone fragments. Sometimes the milk is spoiled and the officers refuse to exchange it.
Don't misunderstand me, they are feeding us but they're feeding us in paper sacks which do not contain the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) and it's barely enough to sustain one's appetite. On occasion there are cases where the supervising officials will deny a prisoner their food for any given, apparent reason. Sergeant Owens (first shift) and Sergeant Harris are two among several officers who have denied meals here on Terrell Unit. There is no reason to deny food to any living being.
Furthermore, we suffer further tumult and oppression at the hands of this administration in the fact that we are denied visitations. This is in fact a violation of TDCJ-ID regulations which say that visitation rights will not be denied as a form of punishment. In addition, the administration has refused to feed us by RDA guidelines, denied us our TDCJ-ID mandated one hour of recreation. In many instances medical treatments either audaciously denied or delayed for days. The most common claim is that they do not have the appropriate staff to escort an inmate to the infirmary, when in fact there are an estimated 1,000 employees for the Terrell Unit.
The administration claims that their foul prone action are due to the violence on this side of the building. The truth is that violence exists in all prisons. The administration here took it upon themselves to impose unjustified punishment upon us. No one can bend, manipulate or go above Federal and state laws but this administration has decided to do just that.
This is a clear showing of the cruel and unusual punishment that has been heavily imposed by this foul-prone administration on Terrell unit. This is a clear violation of the 8th and 14th amendments as well as a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Nevertheless this is our present state and not our first. The last lockdown lasted 11 months with no visitations, no hot meals, no allowance of outside recreation. We are currently in desperate need of your help in contacting a federal agency in Texas and the TDCJ-ID director of internal affairs, John Mcalliffe, to investigate our situation.
Lastly, please reply to confirm that you indeed received this letter. This insecurity is due the fact that mail is often "lost," "misplaced," or delayed.
Whatever help or pressure you can assist us with will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and help.
--Several Texas prisoners, 9/13/95 - 9/14/95
DOES RELENTLESS ACTIVISM AMOUNT TO NOTHING?
Greetings,
I received MIM Theory 8. Thanks! A couple of items from you were censored earlier by prison officials here. I'm not sure if you received notice of if the materials were returned. In January 1995 the implementation of administrative bulletin 95/i added to the greatly expanding censorship policies of the California Department of Corrections (CDC) and the reducing of due process safeguards or accountability of prison staff.
I have multiple civil actions pending in federal court, but in the meantime Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) and the state of California are the supreme law in this corner of the land. No civil liberties or constitutional "rights" for us here! The whole system of judicial review is so inherently unjust I suspect my lawsuits will be dismissed or prejudicially ruled in the state's favor, due to the fact that I have no lawyer, no support and no way to publicize the blatant injustice being perpetuated!
I am so sick of all the bullshit. 5 years of filing writs, literally fighting prison officials and relentless activism and it amounts to nothing. No comrade to visit me. No local contacts to assist from the outside. No solidarity. I read all these prisoner rights materials. Where are these people? Why have I never had an opportunity to participate directly in their projects?
I have turned a 7 year robbery conviction into 30 years plus 25 to life prison term, permanently stuck in the Security Housing Unit (SHU) 24 hour lock down and still fighting! I have suffered the beatings and torture of prison life, yet I'm strong and proud!
Is there a comrade or a support group out there that can keep in contact with me and be a source of encouragement, maybe assist somehow with my struggle?
In struggle,
--a California prisoner, 7/10/95
RCG1 responds: This prisoner speaks of solidarity, support, comrades, contacts, assistance, and encouragement. He feels all alone and that his struggle has amounted to nothing. Readers of UL&K, what do you think? Do you feel that this prisoner is alone in the struggle? Do you feel that all his struggle against oppression has amounted to nothing? Do you have any suggestions about how this prisoner might build a support network at his prison?
CALENDARS ARE CONTRABAND
While I'm here on Disciplinary Confinement (DC), I get to see first hand how these pigs outright lie and falsify official documents. On the other wings most of the cats (prisoners) are busy, most notably watching television, being quite complacent so there's no reason for the pigs to harass them.
Here on DC you can't have tobacco or coffee, it's a crime in the pigs' eyes, so they constantly shake you down looking for it or anything else they deem to be contraband on DC. Recently I had an episode in which they took my calendar!
After a week of writing the usual grievances, I managed to actually see the Captain. He tells me that calendars are contraband on DC. Only the state issue items are allowed which gives the pigs a lot of leeway, as they'll take a few items this time and some more next time. It's just a harassment game with them.
I use my pen a lot against them which they do not like at all. Using their own rules to point out their mistakes, lets them know that I know what they're doing and use the paperwork to help establish a case against them.
I know the obstacles in my path and I'm well aware of what's ahead of me. I just refuse to compromise my beliefs or to become complacent in here.
The other night two brothers got into an argument about nothing really, a simple misunderstanding. My comrade tried to tell them, "Hey you should be arguing and fighting with he pigs, not each other!"
The reply was, "That's just a fantasy, an illusion. No one does that." What happened to others was of no concern to him, all he cared about was himself and getting his. Which explains the mentality of this place and most of those inside this state. It's sad, isn't it? When they speak of getting out and back into it is to get theirs: the money, the cars and whatever else they can buy. Capitalist criminals, always thinking of how to make themselves rich. Little do they realize that in a few years we may have martial law in this land. You can see how the police-state mentality is slowly growing acceptable, all in the name of "safer" streets.
I have found a comrade here on DC and we both enjoy MIM Notes, as well as continue to struggle against the fascist administration. Perhaps in a few more months we'll be able to find other comrades besides us. Trying to show these cats how wrong capitalism is and how we need a revolution to fix it all, is like trying to convince someone the glass is half empty when they swear it is half full. It's that early indoctrination of the importance of money and capitalism. Breaking through all of that will take some time.
PRISON BRIEFS
Double-celling is proceeding apace. Some of us political prisoners are forced to work in Unicor. A comrade was framed recently.
--a Kansas prisoner, 5/1/95
I was in Vietnam, captured as a POW, and received better treatment than that which is now being afforded to me here.
--a Colorado Prisoner, 7/17/95
The blowers are being turned on in our cells, causing the temperature to drop to around 40 degrees. This started about a month ago. For the first week the blowers remained on 24 hours straight. Since then they are turned on at 7 a.m. and shut off at 4 p.m.. The reason: an alleged high level of carbon monoxide.
--a Maryland prisoner, 4/3/95
The beatings still go on. Isolation cells are still being used, although I hear that both the "pink- room" and the "cadre area" isolation cells are no longer to be used due to a government investigation, but if so, it hasn't started yet. The physical and psychological torture is applied constantly and the blowers I mentioned are still in effect.
--the same Maryland prisoner, 5/7/95
Texas no longer feeds its captives beef. Yeah they've got a new flavor, "VitaPro" (soybean). They are actually feeding us animal food. That and pork (forced vegetarianism). Despite the fact that the system raises and slaughters thousands of cows and pigs a week. Obviously being sold for private profit.
--a Texas prisoner, 6/2/95
We've been facing down attacks from various plantation "administrators" because of our political activities. Our press has been withheld from captives at different kamps. One brother was put in the "hole" for a piece that he wrote on the Oklahoma City bombing by the right-wing reactionaries. Another brother was placed on "phone restriction" for calling the media. So these are some of the things that we must contend with. And this isolation isn't helping one bit. Nevertheless, just thought I'd "plug in". Press on and keep up the good work.
Stand Firm
--a Michigan prisoner 9/17/95