Dear Comrade,
I'm pleased to share with you that Pelican Bay State Prison has allowed MIM Notes into the prison. But Pelican Bay did not give us anything. If we can consider this situation a victory, it was because we struggled. Malcolm X said that never in history have you ever heard of the oppressor laying down the whip. It was always the oppressed who stopped their oppression.
That is a fact, we must prepare ourselves now, because we must face the inevitable. The only question is, will we face inevitable on our knees as a coward and die, spiritually and physically; or will we stand as women and men and fight for our Liberation?
Yesterday, Pelican Bay gave me the MIM Notes #121 and #122. Which were issued in September [1996]. In MIM Notes #122 on page 11, I read my letter which you titled "Prisoner Not Discouraged by Censorship". I enjoy MIM Notes, and I want you to please start back to sending me MIM Notes again now that MIM has been cleared....
--A California Prisoner, 31 December 1996
WASHINGTON STATE CONTINUES TO CENSOR MIM NOTES
MIM has received several mail rejection notices from the State of Washington Department of Corrections, and most recently from Clallam Bay Correctional Center. Each notice claims that the issues of MIM Notes were rejected because they are a "threat to legitimate penological objectives."
Letters of protest can be sent to directly to Sergeant J. McGimpsey, Clallam Bay Corrections Center, 1830 Eagle Crest Way, Clallam Bay, WA 98326-9723, or to the Director, Division of Prisons or Community Corrections, P.O. Box 41100, Olympia, WA 98504-1100.
PENNSYLVANIA PRISONER FIGHTS CENSORSHIP
...I am writing concerning the prison officials' decision to censor your publication in absence of any legitimate security concerns. As you know, prison officials can not censor a publication merely because they disagree with its political content or the philosophy of the group that publishes it. They also may not censor a publication because it contains views which are unfavorable to the prison system.
They are authorized to ban publications that impede institutional security. Based on this criteria, I believe that we have grounds to sue officials here at the institution. In order to do this, I am going to need your full support and cooperation. First, it would be helpful if you would promptly send a letter of complaint to officials at this institution as well as the DOC's headquarters....
I have appealed the prison's decision to censor MIM through the grievance procedure. As can be expected, the warden affirmed the decision of his subordinates...
You may send letters of complaint to:
Mr. Harry E Wilson, Superintendent, State Correctional Institution at Retreat, R.P.#3, Box 500, Hunlock Creek, PA 18621-9580
Mr. Martin F. Horn, Commissioner, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, P.O. Box 598, Camp Hill, PA 17001-0598.
--A Pennsylvania Prisoner, 19 November 1996
IS REVOLUTION JUST A PRISONER PASTIME?
...I read about the struggles behind the walls in Under Lock and Key, but I have not read about these struggles being continued once prisoners are freed and their state of struggle. Maybe only those of us with a lot of time on our hands write. Once the knowledge is acquired, the will to create change and to free the chains of the oppressor is ignited. It must be more than something to use to pass time (prison time). It should and must be a life-long commitment to overthrow these fascist oppressors.
Many prisoners gain political consciousness under these conditions, that may never have been acquired under other circumstances. Once this happens, the prisoner has a duty to continue his struggle against the oppressor (imperialism), and stand by those under lock and key, expose the oppression and work to overthrow the present system.
It would be encouraging to read of prisoners who continue in this struggle, as a prisoner and a prisoner of war (war on drugs is a war on the Amerikan people). For many years I have been awakened to the realities of the current fascist- imperialist government. I am trying to educate myself and others. I don't want to just be a "cell soldier", but I want to be an effective Revolutionary and help effectuate a change from within and eventually without, when my chains are released...
If you have or receive news of any comrades that have been freed
that have continued in the struggle, I would be glad to see stories
written about their struggle...
--A Colorado Prisoner, 3 December 1996
A NEW YORK PRISONER STRUGGLES FOR EDUCATION
To the people,
Back during slavery times, Black people were forbidden to pick up a book and read. Education for Black folks was a crime. One of the policies of colonialism is that the victor seeks to keep the vanquished stooped in ignorance and superstition.
In these days and times the New York State prison colony carries out such a policy, although it be in a different form. According to the education law of the U.S. it is supposed to be a violation of our "rights" to deny a person the pursuit of an education based on such a person's race, religion, national origin, social position or creed. This is supposed to be applicable to all "Americans". But despite the fact that "my people" have been in this country just as long as white people, that "my people" have fought and died in all of Amerika's wars and still foolishly do so, despite the fact that the first martyr in the Amerikan revolution was a Black man (Crispus Attucks), despite the fact that a Black man laid down the blueprint for the nation's capital (Benjiman Banneker), I'm still not an Amerikan because I'm Black.
In NY State, prisoners are denied access to pursue a college education. We're only allowed to obtain a GED. After that, you're done, especially if you do not have family and/or friends on the outside that can pay for a college correspondence course or supply you with textbooks and/or workbooks on a regular basis. But then again, according to the 13th Amendment, prisoners are slaves so I guess that's why I'm denied an education on top of me being Black.
MIM has an excellent book for prisoners program and I'm greatly indebted to them and those of you who helped out and donated money and books. However, along with my revolutionary education I'm trying to pursue an academic education for I plan on going to college when I get out of prison. I already have 3 strikes against me: I'm 1) Black, 2) Poor and 3) an ex-convict. I don't need a fourth, lacking an advanced academic education.
With the help of you and MIM I'm most sure that I could overcome this obstacle. I sent a book list to MIM of books that I could use to advance myself.... It matters not if they're beat up, photocopied or brand new as long as all the pages are there and it's legible.... Whatever books you could send (workbook, textbooks, etc.) pertaining to the natural/physical sciences, life sciences, language arts and/or mathematics will also be greatly appreciated.... Thank you for your time, assistance and concern.
Revolution!
--A New York Prisoner
PS. Even science magazines (no matter how dated) will be appreciated.
MIM ADDS: Our books for prisoners program prioritizes political texts, but we recognize the utility in other education and wish to expand our work and unleash the potential of the masses to fill this need. In particular, we are quite aware of that each year college students across the United Snakes spend hundreds of dollars on textbooks that at the end of the semester they no longer need or want and cannot sell for a good price or at all. We encourage these students and others to send us their old books along with enough postage to send them to a prisoner. Educational materials of all grade levels will be forwarded to prisoners. Please make sure postage is included with the books.
ONE YEAR LATER, STILL IN TEXAS
To Whom it May Concern,
I am a Massachusetts prisoner! One of two hundred and ninety-nine sent here to Texas because of overcrowding....
Talk about control units, Sensory Deprivation like a mother fucker. No Due process, Stripped of Liberty interest. Food's fucked, cops are illiterates. I'm locked down 24-7. Only 3 hours of recreation a week. Wearing somebody else's boxers, socks. Rats and snitches wall to wall - Unit? What's the hell is that?
I hate this government system. It wasn't made to work for us.
If you want to know more about the 299 guys sent here by Massachusetts, who claim overcrowding to get more money for prisons, you let me know. I got a lot of news for you.
--A Massachusetts Prisoner in Texas, 14 December 1996
P.S. We are in seg. for one year now. Massachusetts just renewed the contract for 2 more years. Guess where me and X will be. Right here in Seg. No ticket. NADA! Because we are nonconformists.
AMERIKAN PRISON BRIEFS
READING MATERIALS LIMITED ...I lost your address and a few of the newsletters you sent me, due to shakedowns this past month by these Colonialist and Neo Colonial Pigs. We were locked down from Halloween to November 20th on the DS (Disciplinary Segregation) unit here. Because my bed frame had a big piece of metal missing from it. So of course these cowards locked down the whole unit. They have also devised a way of limiting and taking away our reading material by only allowing any prisoner 10 pieces of reading material at any one time. If we receive a book, or magazine, etc. in the mail, we must turn it in, so it can be: 1. Sent home (at your expense), 2. Destroyed, 3. Gate released, or 4. Given to charity. They do not consider MIM Notes and most times, political books, educational. So now if we can't get them to be recognized they will be sent home or destroyed. I am thinking of starting a "class action" grievance by all the New Afrikan and conscious brothers to try to get this done....
--An Illinois Prisoner, 24 November 1996
NEW DRUG TEST ...Well something new, the Michigan snakes have invented. It is a thing for drug testing, it's brand new. They came up with this about a year ago. It looks like a small dime. It is a little plastic circle. The nurse puts this new invention in our arms for 24 hours to see if we are smoking drugs. And then take this shit to the laboratory. The point is the Michigan snakes always want to test something in inmates. I don't trust the Michigan Department of KKKoruptions with my life....
--A Michigan Prisoner, 2 December 1996
EXPOSE PIG SEXUAL HARASSMENT On 23 November 1996, I was set up and beaten by 4 officers. Burkhalter C/O #R, Haverd C/O K., Lourie C/O A., Dueose C/O III M. These are the officers who beat me in the hallway.
These are the ranking officers who plotted this cruel attack upon me. Sergeant Bly, Lieutenant James Nixon, Lieutenant Lee, Captain Baker, and Warden McNight.
Now I am being sexually harassed by Sergeant Ludwig, Sargent Williams, Officer Sorrels. Everyday these people pull me out of my cell, [They] know I don't have a thing in here, every hour on the hour. I can't get any sleep. I am on container restriction, food loaf, paper gown. They know I don't have nothing in this cell, this is just to harass me. Sargent Ludwig always tells me, "Open your ass cheeks.", Then [he] puts me on the run with nothing on so the other inmates can look at my butt. Please help stop this sexual harassment.
--A Texas Prisoner, 4 January 1997
UNSANITARY CONDITIONS CONTINUED
...I like your topic in Under Lock and Key, Nov. 15th issue #126, page 8 about unsanitary living conditions in Illinois. I, myself am an Illinois prisoner in the Menard Correctional Center. Right now I'm in the North Segregation Unit and it's just like you put it in the paper. The birds still fly through the cell house, the mice and roaches still come into our cells. And the administration in Menard do not try to do anything to get rid of the mice or birds in the cell house. Everything that you put about this topic is 100% true.
I hope that somebody out there notified the Health Department about the conditions in the Menard Correctional Center, North Segregation Unit. Most of the officers are KKK members and they do not like Blacks and Latinos. They play with people's food. The other day an inmate here in the North Segregation Unit found a mouse in his food.
Sincere in the Struggle,
-- An Illinois Prisoner, 15 December 1996
MISSOURI PRISONER SERVES AS JAILHOUSE LAWYER TO FIGHT OPPRESSION
Dear Movement,
...I would like to inform you that I have been in solitary confinement since May 13, 1996, for refusing to submit to statutorily-required DNA testing. At present, I am challenging this state law in court. Even though the law supports my position, I understand the political and public ramifications of my resistance and struggle against big government. If I win in court, I will pass this information on to your organization in hopes it will assist similarly-situated comrades or prisoners.
I have been incarcerated for 16 years... During my confinement I obtained a paralegal diploma and have been a jailhouse lawyer. I have been such a thorn to the attorney general's office, that they lied to a federal judge who issued an order enjoining me from filing lawsuits and prohibiting me from assisting other prisoners or be subject to disciplinary punishments and sanctions. I've been confined a couple of times already in the hole. I can not permit myself to bow to my oppressors, otherwise I would be living without dignity and pride. I understand that the consequence of my non- violent civil disobedience and rebellion is continued imprisonment despite parole release eligibility. Self-preservation ignores me because I would rather live as a principled man than as a spineless inmate. My integrity means the world to me even if freedom continues to escape me.
--A Missouri Prisoner, 18 December 1996
SOUTH CAROLINA PRISONER COLLECTS EVIDENCE ON INJUSTICE SYSTEM
...A friend recently forwarded to me a copy of MIM Notes from September 15, 1996. With great correlation, I read the letters, Under Lock and Key, from prisoners in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. These letters made me ponder whether or not there might be prisoners out there who could assist me in gathering inculpative evidence, to be used against Michael Moore, (Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC)).
I am currently incarcerated at McCormick Correctional Institution. For the past two years I have been involved in a mass assault to shutdown Michael Moore's unconstitutional "policies and customs". I have assisted some 85 inmates at this institution also, to file actions totaling over one hundred, thirty million dollars....
Because our documents and attitudes are polite, resolved and amicable, my law partner and I have had a 100% success rate. However, we have been continually harassed, threatened and retaliated against for our giving "inmate to inmate assistance." We filed an action on the reprisal for the constitutionally protected right, and the state agreed to compromise.
Additionally, we moved for arrest warrants pursuant to Title 18 U.S.C. 241 and 242; against Director Michael Moore and the Attorney General of South Carolina, Charles Condon, because they had acted in concert to deprive inmates of a Constitutional Right, by going public and declaring that they were going to "pack inmates in prison like sardines."
When the smoke had cleared, following this massive attack, my roommate was removed from my cell. We were not asked whether or not we consented to such a room change. A new inmate was moved into my cell. At first, I thought it might just be more retaliation. A few days later my reality changed, when this inmate informed me that Michael Moore, (Director of SCDC), had approached him at Kirkland Correctional Institution and requested that he be transferred to McCormick Correctional Institution; placed in the cell with me; to kill me in exchange for $25,000 dollars and parole. The inmate informed me and several other witnesses that Michael Moore and Attorney General, Charles Condon, "wanted me killed because of all the Legal cases I was filing against him and the Attorney General."
The following day, after securing affidavits from this inmate and the witnesses, all of our cells were searched. The affidavits were seized and we were placed in administrative segregation, without a charge, on Oct 28, 1996. We have all been placed on "No Communications". Which means: we cannot call our attorneys, family; we cannot go out for exercise; we cannot go to the law library and we are refused any type of assistance; and we cannot send or receive mail.
Following these events,... the host of a weekly patriotic radio show ..., and numerous concerned citizens of South Carolina started investigating Michael Moore and his activities. The radio host went on world wide radio, as well as a local radio show in ... South Carolina. Looking for information, the radio host contacted ex-inmates and former officers of the Texas Department of Corrections. He also spoke with a doctor in California who had a great deal of information concerning Michael Moore's previous activities while employed in Texas.
....The radio host learned that while in Texas, Michael Moore had maintained "hit groups" in at least three separate institutions. These "hit groups" were inmates that had been solicited by Moore to threaten, intimidate and in some cases even kill inmates who helped other inmates file civil actions...
The inculpative evidence this writer is attempting to gather from readers in or out of prison, is simply this: If you have ever been a part of, or been asked to be a part of any Michael Moore "hit groups" and have first hand knowledge of the same, I would appreciate a summary or affidavit concerning those instances. If you have ever been threatened by Michael Moore, or one of his "hit groups" for you legal activities, I would appreciate a letter, summary, or affidavit concerning those facts. If you are employed or were employed at one time, by the Texas Department of Corrections and you have first hand knowledge of Michael Moore's "polices and customs" to threaten intimidate or kill inmates for their legal activities, this information would be of great use to us.
If you wish to keep your name and information Confidential, Please state to that effect in your correspondence. Additionally, keep in mind that any affidavits sent from out of state, must also be stamped when being notarized. If you are unable to send an affidavit because of a privacy issue or for lack of access to a notary, please write informing us of your information. In connection, if you would be willing to testify, under oath, at the trial, against Mr. Moore concerning any or all of the first hand information you send us, please specify this fact. Send all correspondence to: The Anti- Federalist Research Group, 1004 Welcome Rd., Greenville, SC 29611.
...Fighting tyrants in South Carolina.
--A South Carolina Prisoner, 19 November 1996