The Committee to End the Marion Lockdown (CEML) has received letters from two Black prisoners at Marion who report that they have been set up by guards for fights with White prisoners. Once the fight takes place, then the Black prisoners are also set upon by the guards, and are then the only ones punished. CEML is requesting that all interested people immediately write, phone, or fax the prisoncrats listed below and demand that these practices be stopped immediately. One of the correspondents writes: "It is not only that the guards are beating black brothers constantly but they are allowing white racist prisoners to beat on us and jump on us while we are handcuffed. . . .
On January 2, 1997 the blacks and whites had a big fight on the recreation yard. They beat many of us with billy clubs but did not allow us to get medical attention until they were finished providing help to the white prisoners. Now the staff here has put brothers in a kill or be killed situation. . . .
They are taking strong brothers off the tiers, and even putting single blacks on tiers with all other white prisoners. . . . Please let our oppressors know that we brothers have someone who will stand strong and let them know that their malicious acts will not be tolerated." The other correspondent writes: "The white boys in the population unit had the nerve to tell the brothers that they couldn't sit down on the bench, saying that this was a white bench.
Whenever you get into a fight with a white guy, the officers beat us but won't bother the white prisoner. When there was a fight on the yard on January 2 the police broke one brother's wrist and slammed another's head into the wall several times. These people are trying to kill us fast. We need your help. Our families do not even know what is going on. As soon as we try to tell someone over the phone, then the phone is disconnected. Please respond as soon as you can."
Protest to: Kathleen Hawk, Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20532, tel. (202) 307-3250, fax: (202) 514-6878 Patrick Kane, Director, North Central Region, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Tower II, 8th Floor, 400 State, Kansas City, KS 66101, tel. (913) 612-3939, fax: (913) 551-1094 Mr. William Hendricks, Warden, USP Marion, Box 1000, Marion, IL 62959, tel: (618) 964-1441, fax: none, we're told. Please make certain to report back to this emergency response network (ern) whether you have sent a message and whether you have received a response from the prisoncrats. This type of feedback to us is essential in understanding how the ern is working. You can email us directly or carbon copy us at: ceml@aol.com Thank you.
A CALL TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST TORTURE IN TEXAS STOP COMPLAINING AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) is soon to be heard in Federal Court, the issue to get out from under the Ruiz v. Scott, et, al., No. H-78- 987, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Donna Brorby is the Lead Counsel for us the plaintiffs.
I hear a lot of lip service. But now we have a chance to voice all the wrongs and how TDCJ violates their agreement with Ruiz. Write Donna Brorby at 390 Hayes St. Suite #2, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Speak of the beatings you saw, the lock up with no court, tell of all medical care and how little we get. Speak up now or be ready for the old days to come back. I ask all in Texas Prisons to write Donna, not silly things such as Vita Pro, that issue is up in another suit.
This is the best notice I can give. I wrote Donna of medical threats that I have been subject to on this unit. Along with many other things that deal with Ruiz. If we don't speak up now, we will pay. You think TDCJ is bad now, you should see TDCJ's plan s for us if they out from Ruiz. In the Struggle!! From Price Daniel Unit
--A Texas Prisoner, 11 November 1996
MISSOURI PRISONER DETERMINED TO ORGANIZE IN THE FACE OF TORTURE
The following is a composite of several letters written by a Missouri Prisoner and submitted to ULK by a MORAIL comrade
Greetings Comrades, . I write this to respond to your letter which i received last week. First let me thank you for your concern and encouragement. It is assuring knowing there are those like your self who are fighting for the liberation of the people and who have not condemned brothers in prison.
Answering your letter, prison officials have me in the hole for "Out of Bounds" and "unauthorized Organizations" But what it is this, myself and others teach a class which aids other inmates to learn basic Constitutional Rights and how to protect them self! Also I been doing a of talking about how we (prisoners) need to stop fighting one another and focusing on our true enemy, the Administration. Are you familiar with the riots we had in Sept.? Well, myself and others, Brothers were able to wake a lot of people up. Crips, Bloods, Aryan Brotherhood, Muslim etc., united for 13 whole days and terrorized these goons.
I believe that to be the true reason for me being in the hole. I have a lot of influence towards a lot of people and they (goons) are afraid I will cause a repeat of Septs. riot. Though they won't say this, I believe to be true. (2) They have me on the following medication, THORIZINE 50 mg. x2 Daily HALADOL 75 mg. x 2 Daily TRASADONE 75 mg. x 2 Daily
They say they are helping me stay calm, but I don't take that shit. When I refuse it, they refuse to feed me until I do though. Can you tell me what I can do on that?
(3)Yes, I'm a non-violent offender, stealing and fraud, serving 5 yrs. in a max. security Prison, the worst in Missouri. I have a "good" conduct record. So what sense does this make? I really want to do something that will expose what these assholes do to us. Especially in the hole. Here are a few things: I'M DENIED ALL VISITS. I haven't been allowed NO shower in almost 3 weeks. I have no light except daylight. No hot water. I DON'T get to eat unless I let them DOPE ME UP.
I can go on and on. Thank you for writing my mom- ... I will remain in touch- But I believe these people are going to try and set me up and have someone DO something to me- So if you don't hear from me next month, I ask that you contact investigators and check on thins. I remain strong,
--A Missouri Prisoner, 1 December 1996
..."Ever since it has been said that my release from lock up was being considered, guards, even the associate warden has come to me asking "Are you going to keep your mouth shut, and stop causing trouble?"
Hell no! I will just be more careful. In fact, I'm determined to organize people, Black, Latin, etc., unite all of us together. And Help these people open their eyes and clean their ears out, and FACE REALITY. It is my duty to my people to help in the struggle in Raising awareness towards the oppressor, and support for the third world revolution, the struggle of the oppressed here in Amerikkka's prison system. Ain't no lockdown cell, mind altering drug going to make me or my ideas submit in defeat. I will continue in our struggle as long as I have heart and air to breath.... I remain struggling,
--A Missouri Prisoner
MORAIL, To bring you up to date on things happening in reference to my struggle:
1.On Dec.19, 1996, I had a hearing in reference to my release from Administration Segregation (the Hole) and they did decide to let me officially go from the Hole.
2.On Dec. 20, 1996, I was informed that there is presently no bed-space available in population and I will remain in the Hole until bed space becomes available. So in conclusion to all of this, I have been released from the Hole because they have no "legal" reason to keep me, but as we know how these people are able to do some sly things and yet protect themselves. They have invented the story that there is no bed space available and therefore are able to keep me in the Hole and NOT RISK themselves to any trouble. In summary, my struggle continues as does my strength continues to increase. So that I may eventually be victorious in my struggle. I will not surrender my beliefs or my will. I will fight for however long it takes. For to give up is to admit defeat and agree to be oppressed.
In struggle,
--A Missouri Prisoner [Excerpt from letter 1 January 1997]
TEXAS PRISONER EXPOSES THE MURDER AND BRUTALITY IN PRISON
...The Murder of a Mexican National, Daniel Avellaneda happened on July 19th, 1996, the Jones County Grand Jury was empaneled to hear the case against the prison guard Neal Harms who claimed that the Prisoner was "Running backward trying to escape". Over 40 prisoners witnessed the Murder and state that Harms ran a huge horse that he was on into the prisoner, the prisoner became frightened and ran approximately 5 yards. At which time Harms, fired a warning Shot. The Prisoner was already stopped and had both hands in the air when the guard rode up to the prisoner firing one shot form a .357 handgun striking the prisoner in head above the left eye.
All other Prisoners were ordered back to work while a utility van came. to the sight where the prisoner was taken "thrown in the van like a dead animal". The remaining prisoners refused to return to work and the unit was placed under emergency lock down. During the lock down the prisoners who were near the deceased at the time of the Murder were called out to talk to the Internal affairs division investigators and senior wardens and threatened and coerced. Witnesses were told to "Pick a Unit you want to go to and keep your mouth shut. If you give a statement you will go visit that fucking wet back"
This information is developed by the Texas Prisoners Labor Union members and the Unions Committee On Human Rights established to investigate the Murder and the Brutality of the French Robertson Unit. The committee has also uncovered a lot of practices of unthinkable sadistic brutality by guards on the Unit called "Black Patches", as well as a Practice of Sport fighting Prisoners in a dried up pond that has been described as Terror Dome. [This is] where prisoners were forced to sit in a circle around a pond (The Terror Dome) with Guards on looking. The guards would "...ride up next to a prisoner and throw him a pack of cigarettes and then the same to the opponent. These prisoners would then descend into the dome and fight until there was a winner. Many times prisoners were beaten into unconsciousness, receiving no medical attention whatsoever, other than what was administered by other Prisoners." These sick bastards that call themselves "Public Servants" are the worst scum on the earth and should be placed in chains and whipped daily. These so-called public servants are responsible for the well being of prisoners, prisoners whom are allegedly being rehabilitated. Warden Hubert Scott was sent to the Unit to Transfer (Not Fire) the most "Obviously" brutal guards.
The Texas Prisoners Labor Union will not cease in our investigation until we have the whole truth and a Federal Grand Jury issues Indictments against these bastards. We are seeking your assistance. We need detailed information concerning all aspects of treatment, Brutality at the French Robertson Unit. We want to Present the Federal Grand Jury with enough evidence to send these bastards to jail. (I want Harms for my cellie, I will see how tough that bastard is without the pistol). There is an ongoing conspiracy to cover the Murder. This is a RICO violation and these bastards cannot hide behind the States Immunity skirts. And when called before an investigative body, will start snitching on each other to try to save their own asses. When you contact us with information send one copy of the "Sworn Affidavit" to the Mexican Consulate and one to me (via MIM) at the addresses below:
Mexican Consulate, General Counsel, 511 Ohio St,
Suite 121, Midland, Texas 79701
Together we can make a difference. Don't allow the administration to divide and conquer using Race, political affiliation or religion which are their most common ploys.
-- A Texas Prisoner, Founder & Chairman of the Texas Prisoners Labor Union, 1 January 1997
PIGS FACILITATE STABBINGS ON THE RECREATION CHAIN
Sitting here in the Lucasville Maximum Security Prison....I would like for someone to tell me if this is a maximum security prisoner then tell me how is it possible that there are so many stabbings on the Rec. [Recreation] Chain of the Administrative Segregation [Ad-Seg] blocks?
I have never been afraid of anything in my whole like, not even death. But i'm like all men, i will not go out without a fight. But here in Ad-Seg there's no fighting for your life. You're just a target for the next man.
Let me make myself clear on what i'm talking about. Like i said, i'm in Ad-seg. That means you're hand cuffed everywhere you go. You are allowed one hour of rec. a day. You are stripped of everything you have on in your cell, in front of the rec. officer. He will then shake you clothes down then watch you put them back on. After this he will then cuff you behind you back, then put leg cuffs on you. Then you are put in a chain that runs through you arms. You might have 10-15 inmates on a chain with only two rec. officers.
...Now after all this is done, how is it possible for an inmate to come out of his handcuffs and have a razor or ice pick and attack you???
Now remember what i said, you were stripped and cuffed in front of an officer. So tell me, where are the razors and ice picks coming from? It makes you wonder? I don't go to rec. anymore because i refuse to get hit on this rec. chain and not fight back. I've been in Ad-Seg for one year now and I've seen six stabbings on this rec. chain.
It's never a black inmate hitting a white inmate. It's the whites hitting the blacks. There's not one black rec. officer working the rec. chain. We brothers have addressed this to the warden and Columbus. I'm trying to make it home alive. --An Ohio Prisoner, 11 December 1996
NEW FEDERAL TORTURE DEVICE
...I also got something to say, about the KKK's Feds. You can print this in your MIM Notes (from Prison Life Magazine). Looks like the Federal Bureau of Prisons has approved a new vehicle of torture: the Remote Electronically Activated Technology, R-E-A-C-T-STUN BELT. How long did it take them to make up that acronym? A program statement dated September 30, 1994 from the US Amerikkkan Imperialist KKK's Department of Justice outlines the various uses of the device which is designed to prevent pri$oner$ from escaping while being escorted to court, the hospital or another prison. First the gory details as explained in the document.
The custody control belt discharges 50,000 volts of electricity by means of a remote transmitter. An attending officer has the ability to activate the stun package attached to the belt thereby causing the following results to take place.
1. Immobilization, causing you to fall to the ground. Possibility of self-urination. Only maximum custody convicts "requiring greater security than can be afforded through conventional restraints" can be forced to wear the stun belt. The document states that the officer in charge of the escort detail "must exercise sound judgment when making a decision to activate the custody control belt", but it goes on to say that "verbal orders are not required if the staff member reasonable believes a danger of death or grievous bodily harm is imminent". In addition prisoners can be stunned if they tamper with the belt, fail to comply with staffs' verbal order to halt or if the officer in charge experiences "any loss of visual contact with the prisoner".
Hmm, Guess the days of handcuffs and shackles are over. What a toy, America people think that violent punishment is the solution. I mean the system is fucked up. Really these people enjoy to see others in pain just for entertainment, like the shows, amerikkka's most wanted, cops, and crimestoppers. Yeah, right, they are straight up killers - the only thing different is they have a license to KILL. Permission to do it from the KKK. ...The real criminals make the laws...
--A Michigan Prisoner, 5 January 1997
NOT SURPRISED BY ST. LOUIS POLICE BEATINGS
...I recently received your publications of No. 125 and 126. I was not surprised by the article about the St. Louis police beating a former prisoner to death. Since my incarceration in ^Ñ90, I have been part of and witnessed plenty of my unconscious brothers [correction officers] beat [prisoners] into a state of comotose for simply protesting the actions of the Ferguson Units' Tom and his hired henchmen.
The Texas prison system prides its-self on brutality on prisoners, just a Chief Williams does of the LAPD. The way that it thrives is to send hired hands out against its own race. And if the brother [prisoner] lives to make it to court, then they send [one of] your own race into that snake den to discredit any type of defense that you [the prisoner] have. [The Uncle Tom discredits the prisoner] by saying that you have a history of attacking them or inciting riots, and they are only trying to do their job and serve the public. However, it may be the Brothers of the struggle will continue to fight the powers that be and make this kkkountry a real land of the free. And a home to the brave Brothers and Sisters who have the vision to overthrow this government and institute a true government of Marx-Lenin-Maoist ideology.
A true Brother of the Struggle,
A Texas Prisoner, 11 December 1996
PRISONER POETRY WANTED
Free Lunch Arts Alliance, A California Not-for- Profit Corporation, is planning a publication of poetry from prisoners in U.S. correctional institutions. This will be either a special issue of the magazine, or a larger chapbook of about 36 or more pages. We have not yet determined a publication date, but it will probably be in late 1997 or early 1998. We hope to have poetry from inmates from across the U.S.
Guidelines for Special Free Lunch Issue of Prisoner Poetry: Prisoners should submit up to three previously unpublished poems. The poems can be hand printed, typed, or computer-generated. If the submission includes more than three poems, it will be discarded and the poems will not be considered. For this special publication, prisoners do not need to include a self-address, stamped envelope. If we wish to get in touch with the prisoner regarding a submission (for correction, clarification, or possible revision) we will supply the postage for this. Please place the letter I on the envelope you send, or indicate in a cover letter that the submission is for the special Inmate Issue. Cover letters are not necessary, however, although it is always interesting to receive them.
Submissions will not be returned. So original copies of work should not be sent. If a poem is selected for publication, we will notify the prisoner. To this end, we ask that you provide an alternate name and address where you can be contacted. Often prisoners are moved around and mail is not always forwarded. So an alternate name and address is helpful. All those whose work is published will receive two copies of this special issue and a free on-going subscription to the magazine. Additional copies will be available to contributors at a cost plus postage basis.
As for what type of poetry we are looking for, we are not interested in traditional greeting card verse, which is typically rhymed and contains some kind of moral or message. On the other hand, we are not opposed to traditional rhymed poetry. We like poetry that relies on figurative language image, simile, metaphor, rhythm, sound, etc. We do not care for flat, prosy work that is really prose and is chopped up into lines to look like poetry. There is no limitation of subject matter or the type of poetry (experimental, protest, lyric, narrative, etc.).
We look forward to seeing your work.
--Ron Offen, Editor of Free Lunch, 29 January 1997 Submissions can be sent to: Free Lunch Arts Alliance, PO BOX 7647, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607- 7647.
MIM ADDS: We also encourage prisoners to keep sending
poetry and art to MIM as well as news and theoretical articles.