Revolutionary Greetings to the Comrades of MIM,
Thought I'd send you a news story from the Imperialist Gulag of Arizona. I'm not sure if you want to use it. I'm not very good at such writings. Just thought I'd make some contribution. I so wish to make a difference, comrades. And I feel so helpless from in here. You do so much for me and it seems that I do so little for you. I'm sorry for that. Enclosed you will find a couple of stamps. My study group sends them. We'll send more soon. It's been a little tight around here lately.
All Power to the People!! Your Comrade in captivity,
--An Arizona Prisoner, 19Nov96
MIM RESPONDS: Thank you for your article, it is printed below. This article is good example of solid revolutionary work. Writing articles and submitting them proves that prisoners are not helpless, but a potentially powerful revolutionary force. Exposing oppressive forces in prisons, publicizing victories of the oppressed and studying revolutionary theory are all valuable contributions to the struggle against imperialism. Keep up the good work! In Struggle,
--RCG1 13Jan97
SECOND TRIAL FREES ARIZONA DEATH ROW PRISONER
On November 6, 1996, a man who spent five years on death row for the 1989 death of a Tucson investment broker, was released from prison. (1)
Pina County Superior Court Judge Bernardo Velasco freed 38 year old David W. Grannis by dismissing the murder charges in a retrial. (2)
Public Defenders stated they hoped this ruling helps people see the danger in federal laws like last year's anti-terrorism bill, which reduces a convicted felon's rights to appeal.
Grannis and Danial Webster were convicted of the stabbing death of Richard Sutcliffe along with theft and trafficking of stolen property. But prosecutorial over-zealousness caused jury prejudice, as determined by Pima County Superior Court, and in retrial freed Grannis. (3)
David stated for local news crews that he wishes to become a lawyer in order to aid other death row inmates and also desires to play in active role in the crusade to abolish the death penalty. (4) Rosemary Marquez, a federal public defender was contacted by a reporter for the Arizona Daily Star while celebrating the positive ruling in a downtown pub. During the short interview, Marquez relates some very disturbing statistics regarding the death penalty. She said studies of death-row convictions show from 1900 to 1991, there have been more than 400 convictions of people who later proved to be innocent, and 24 of those people have been executed. (5)
The harsh reality of state-sanctioned murder is all too frightening. The public has been duped by this imperialist nation for far too long regarding prisons, the death penalty and the "injustice" system. I can only hope that David Grannis uses his experiences to open the eyes of the citizens of this country to the atrocities being perpetrated against them by the state and what can be accomplished by the people in a Maoist society. All Power to the People! --The same Arizona Prisoner, 19Nov96
NOTES: 1,2,3,5: The Arizona Daily Star, 7Nov96, page 1B. 4: KVOA channel 4, Eyewitness News, NBC affiliate, Tucson.
CHAIN GANGS CONTINUE IN ALABAMA
Dear MIM, This is just a note to keep in touch and ask that you please keep me on you mailing list to receive your publication. As you know, I am an indigent state prisoner struggling to stay alive and get out of the Alabama prison system.
Just so you will know, contrary to many published reports nationwide during the months of June and July of this year, the chain-gang HAS NOT been abolished in Alabama. They have simply stopped chaining the prisoners on the chain gang in groups of five (5). These prisoners are still individually chained for other reason than humiliation and degradation.
These prisoners are still denied visitation, canteen privileges, adequate medical care, TVs and any type of educational and self-help programs, all of which other prisoners in the system have access to.
Back in the 1920's, 30's and 40's little black children grew up playing a game called "chain gang" where they pretended to be in prison working on the chain gang. It was something they simply grew up expecting to experience. I wonder how long it will be before our little black children of today here in Alabama will again be playing this "game" called "chain gang" and expecting and looking forward to experiencing it.
It is sad to think that the chain gangs in Alabama will only end when some "good" white citizen notices little white children playing the "game" called "chain gang". It is ironic to think that one day we will have to thank little white children for ending this aspect of our torture, an will only have to live in fear of what degradation it will be replaced with.
As always, I remain, because I have no other choice, and even if I did have another choice, I would still remain...
In Struggle,
--An Alabama Prisoner, 12Nov96
MIM RESPONDS: While it is true that the vast majority of the white nation will not become thoroughly anti-imperialist and revolutionary until they begin to experience the kind of fascist repression which oppressed nations currently experience, this does not mean liberation for the oppressed nations has to wait for the white nation to become revolutionary. Oppressed nations can and must struggle for their liberation from imperialism in a self-sufficient manner. While any and all aid from "mother country" revolutionaries will be accepted, oppressed nation revolutionaries cannot depend on such aid--they must only depend on the oppressed country masses, who are much more ready for revolution than their "mother country" counterparts.
SOUTH CAROLINA PRISONER CONFRONTS PIGS PRACTICE OF GENOCIDE
Greetings Soldiers!
MIM: Thank you for sending MIM to me at that rustic prison kamp. But I think I must tell you that I've been transferred to another kamp. I was transferred basically because of my political conscience. I've been to 3 different kamps January [96]. I'm at this camp because I expressed my personal feeling to the warden about him and his lackeys and his black collaborators. Well let me explain to you all what happened.
I was taken off SSR (Substantiated Security Risk) status, which meant I didn't have to always walk with leg irons and belly chains on. The reason I was taken off was because I stayed disciplinary free for 7 1/2 months. But I had a next cage neighbor who those fascist pigs didn't take off SSR. He told me that they took him in front of a classification board and placed him on ML6 custody, which meant he had to go back to SuperMax.
Now this solider hasn't had any disciplinaries for close to a year and a half. I asked why did they place him on ML6 custody and he showed me a document from the classification board that was signed by the warden. And basically what it was saying is that he was placed on ML6 custody because of his "past history".
When I saw that my mind exploded with rage! So I wrote the Warden a missive. I told him that I see that he, along with his lackeys, have come accustomed to using prisoners' past histories against them. Then I said if that's true then WE ALL are guilty, because WE ALL have bad past histories. But since we are talking about bad past histories, how do you feel about you ancestor's past history!, knowing that they have raped, murdered and exploited my ancestors and other peoples of color and as a matter of fact they're still doing it today.
I asked him how did he feel knowing that his great, great grandfather was an Indian killer and an Afrikan Woman raper. And I said a couple of other things also. But to make a long story short the next day I got transferred. But it doesn't matter because I see all pigs (male and female) as the same, all prison kamps are the same (oppressive institutions) in my eyes also. So they can never get rid of me unless I'm fully extricated from behind these dark walls.
...The Struggle Will Continue!
--A South Carolina Prisoner, 19Nov96
A CALL FOR PRISONER UNITY
Dear Friends, Please excuse me for not writing sooner to let you know that I have been receiving my copies of MIM Notes. One of the things that caused the delay on my part was that we just came off of an institutional lockdown. Some of our Chicano Bothers can't seem to get along, and they are constantly killing each other over here.
It hurts me to see this, not only 'cause they are both of the same race, but because it seems that this is what our oppressor's want. They get us killing each other. It opens the door for them to come out with new and improved ways of oppression and mental torture.
Also, those actions stereotype us. They already figure all Chicanos are in a gang, and this just reinforces their bogus theory. But, since we've come up, they've come out with new rules every day. If a Chicano gets in a small wreck with the pigs, they don't give out a disciplinary case, they just have him pack his stuff and put him on one of 2 pods that they still have locked down. Reason? Gang investigation.
So once again, the Charles T. Terrell unit is under direct ATTACK by the warden and all his Punk Ass Klansmen. Word going' around is that they're trying' to make us go off on them so they can have a reason to lock us down. Unfortunately, I see that happening pretty soon. I see some really hungry holiday's ahead.
But please keep the MIM Notes coming. And any other books that you may be able to send. I've met a few like minded people around here and they wanna read them too. I'll keep you posted on the happenings here on Terrible Terrell and on the lengths the Pigs here will go to to keep us down. Till, next kite, I remain sincerely your friend in struggle.
--A Texas Prisoner 7Nov96
NEW YORK CONTINUES REPRESSIVE CONDITIONS, PART II
I have just finished reading MIM Notes, October 1, 1996, Issue Number 123. In said issue in the Section "Under Lock & Key" you printed a letter from a prisoner in the Southport Correctional Facility [called "New York Continues Repressive Conditions" - MIM]. I strongly agree with the points he raised, however I feel he missed a few very important ones.
Firstly, this prison is a disciplinary one. The total prisoner population is approximately 828. Of the 828, 618 are on SUH (Special Housing Unit) Status -- All 618 doing box time! After the "91" Southport Riot the department of Corrections decided to build "one-man cages" for the sole purpose of the box time prisoners doing (1) one hour daily rec. One look at the set-up of these cages and the first thing that pops up in someone's mind is - What's this a "dog kennel"?! That's what it is a "Human Dog- Pound!"
The set up for visitors is also similar, however there is a small difference. The visiting room consists of (4) four cages, (8) eight men to a cage. The visitors must sit on the outer-part of the cages (not bars, but holes). There is no contact between visitor and the visited. If you want to kiss your loved ones, you must kiss through a little hole no bigger than (1) inch in length and width.
To Humiliate and oppress prisoners more, we must spend the entire visit ((8) eight hours) with handcuffs and waist chains that goes through the cuffs. Some prisoners must even wear leg shackles. Furthermore, ANY MOVEMENT is done in restraints! Showers are given 2 to 3 times a week, even then you must have cuffs and sometimes even leg restraints. There are many pigs who will spit on prisoners and then claim (lie) that the prisoner spit on him. For a prisoner - that's an automatic 2 1/2 to 5 years added to his current prison time. Shit is rough and it will get rougher especially with the up and coming "New World Order"...
Due to the above mentioned, with 618 prisoners here doing box time, we don't have access to the general library so I don't try nor attempt to get the facility librarian to purchase MIM Notes. However I personally speak to interested prisoners about the conditions we must suffer and what we can do to correct them. I also speak of daily current events in politics and what the oppressors of the US (the world) continue to do to keep the people oppressed both in the so-called "Free Society" and in Prison....
Lastly I would appreciate if you would place me on your mailing list and begin to furnish me with MIM Notes. For MIM Notes is what keeps the Men behind the walls (Modern Day Plantations) strong in the struggle and on point what's evolving around us! Thanking you in advance for your time and cooperation while I await your most prompt response. Continue your great work there at MIM and keep in mind -- "You have a comrade in the fight with me!" Respectfully, --A New York Prisoner, 9Nov96
MIM BATTLES CENSORSHIP IN PA
In August, MIM received a letter from a prison in Pennsylvania, reporting that the July MIM Notes were censored at his institution. The stated reason was: "violation of DC-ADM 814, section IV., subsection A., Number 3, Writings which advocate violence, insurection [sic] or guerrilla warfare against the government or any of its institutions or which create a clear and present danger within the context of the correctional institutions. Also writings which advocate, assist or are evidence of criminal activity or institutional misconduct."
The prisoner asked for information about the contents of the July MIM Notes because he wished to file a lawsuit against the prison for infringing on his right to correspond. We were also asked to write a letter to the Superintendent. A letter written by a MIM supporter to the Superintendent follows. The name of the prisoner has been replaced with an X, and the MIM supporter's name with a Y in this correspondence.
Kenneth Kyler Superintendent PO Box 200 Camp Hill PA 17001-0200
Dear Mr. Kyler: We are in receipt of a notice from Sgt. L Diehl to X notifying him that MIM Notes 117 and 118 were denied him by the Incoming Publications Committee.
Regarding the stated "reasons" for this act of political censorship: The publications in question most definitely do not advocate violence, etc. at the current time. In fact, they advocate the complete opposite. I am baffled as to what "criminal activity" your committee believes MIM Notes "advocate[s], assist[s] or are evidence of", unless talking about-- and opposing--the rash of racist church burnings counts as a "evidence of a crime"!
It would appear that your committee's decision was not based on the law, but in opposition to the political positions of MIM Notes. The Supreme Court has found such actions to unconstitutional, and furthermore has found individual bureaucrats liable when they overstep their authority for personal reasons.
I trust that you will look into this matter and correct the actions of your Committee immediately. Sincerely, Y
***Eleven days later, the Superintendent wrote back***
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill P.O. Box 8837, Camp Hill, PA 17001-8837 (717) 737- 4531
October 31, 1996
Dear Y: A review of your recent letter on behalf of inmate X, indicates that you obviously are unsatisfied with our banning of MIM Notes 117 and 118 by our Incoming Publication Review Committee. My review of these publications confirms the decision of the Incoming Publication Review Committee. The issues advocate the armed overthrow of the government and as written fall under the guidelines set forth by DC ADM 814 "Incoming Publications" policy.
Inmate X has the option to appeal my decision to the Central Office Review Committee. To my knowledge, he has not submitted any appeal to date. Your belief that I've overstepped my authority is incorrect. These publications were banned in accordance with existing Department of Corrections policy and not by some whim of either institution staff or myself. If inmate X appeal is submitted and subsequently won at his next level of appeal, the publications will be permitted in the institution.
Sincerely, --Kenneth D. Kyler, Superintendent
MIM RESPONDS: This is a good example of how censorship can be fought, and a good example of the kind of stalling that the prison will do. Initially, a comrade wrote to the prisoner advising him that: "It would appear that you have good grounds for a lawsuit. While "free speech" and other rights don't really exist, sometimes you can win a small battle getting the pigs to stick to their own rules. It is unclear what was in those particular issues of MIM Notes that got them censored. The July 1 issue had a picture of a Klansman on page 1 and on page 3 (illustrations about the electoral system the church burnings). Sometimes taking on the Klan that directly gets more attention from the censors.
"In some prisons, the appeal process allows you to examine the material in order to research your appeal. I don't know if you are allowed to do that at 'your' facility." Readers should note that the response from Superintendent Kyler does at least two things: First, he takes responsibility for the decision to ban MIM Notes, and secondly, he narrows down the long quotation from the Pennsylvania regulations to just the one portion about overthrowing the government. It's useful, legally speaking, to have one specific target, the claim about armed struggle against the government.
It is possible that a lawyer could make an effective argument against this remaining ruling against MIM Notes. In particular, MIM Notes discourages armed struggle at this time, but presumably the Declaration of Independence--a document written to codify existing armed struggle against the current government--is allowed into the prison.
The day after this letter from Kyler, on November 1, the Incoming Publications Review Committee met again at Camp Hill, PA and banned MIM Notes issues 121-124. This time there was no mention of "criminal activity" or "institutional misconduct" in the censorship note.
Some states allow the publisher to appeal censorship, although this is apparently not the case in PA. MIM will do what it can to fight censorship, but it is most practical for prisoners to take the lead. Most importantly if prisoners can research their local laws and regulations, and then send us requests on how we can help. If there is more MIM can do at Camp Hill, please notify us. In particular, if turns out that the prisoner has filed an appeal but it was suppressed by the pigs, please write MIM so we can expose it.
MIM is currently putting together a resource guide for prisoners who wish to challenge the censorship of MIM Notes or other mail and we welcome help from prisoners and lawyers. In addition, we need the help of jailhouse lawyers and lawyers on the outside who are willing to offer advice to prisoners pursuing these cases.