First of all, prisons themselves are organized violence. They are tools of social control for the ruling class. In Amerika, this means violence against oppressed nations. Prisons deprive oppressed nationals of their freedom -- and lives - - at a rate many times that of the dominant white nation.
Furthermore, as prisoners and readers of Under Lock and Key know too well, pig violence against prisoners is common. Any prisoner resistance, organized or unorganized, big or small, runs the risk of provoking a beating. The pigs also provoke prisoner on prisoner violence, as even mainstream news stories coming out of Corcoran state prison in California confirm.
Thus, the Amerikan prison system is a concrete example of why MIM believes violence is justified and necessary to overthrow the oppressive, imperialist Amerikan state. The oppressors consistently use violence, terror, and brutality to prop up their festering, evil system, and the oppressed must defend themselves by any means necessary. Anybody who advocates "turning the other cheek" as a strategy is not serving the interests of the oppressed.
That said, we should be clear that revolutionaries do not engage in armed struggle in order to feel good about themselves. Revolutionaries engage in armed struggle to win. To paraphrase Fred Hampton: 'Kill one pig, get a little satisfaction. Overthrow this entire fucking system, get complete satisfaction.' All of our efforts are geared towards speeding up the impending victory of the people over u.s. imperialism.
This is why violence against pigs and prisoncrats is a difficult question. Prisoners often find themselves in lose-lose situations. If they don't defend themselves, they die; if they do defend themselves, they die. Prisoners involved in rebellions are abused, lose privileges, face severe retaliation, and are often murdered.
Still, there are situations where a stout but losing battle is better than nothing. The Attica Prison Rebellion is one case in point. MIM supports the Attica Prison Rebellion as an organized attempt to improve conditions for prisoners. It brought media attention to the problem and inspiration and hope to other prisoners (See MT5, "Losing Battles," p. 51). Note that one of the reasons the Attica rebellion was so effective was that prisoners were organized and united to some extent around a political line. This organization and unity was forged before the rebellion.
MIM advocates that prisoners actively organize and educate themselves to determine the best way to struggle in prisons. Practice dialectical materialism and let theory lead your practice. Write to Under Lock and Key to expose the conditions of your struggle. Even in prison there is much room for nitty gritty legal struggle.
But the bottom line is prisoners are in the trenches and it is they who will lead the struggle in prisons.
MICHIGAN PRISONER WANTS TO BE TREATED LIKE A HUMAN BEING
An Article was written on June 29, 1996 entitled: Call for prisoner to become politically motivated, and was printed in the Under Lock & Key's section of MIM Notes 121. RCG1 agreed with most of the article but was in disagreement with the article stating that prisoners ought to stop the violence among ourselves and become violent with our captors. Comrade RCG1 felt this was wrong and suggest that prisoners look at historically revolutionary figures such as George Jackson, and El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (a.k.a.: Malcolm X) and learn from the COINTELPRO war against the Black Panther Party (BPP). We agree with the historical look but we vehemently disagree with passivity. We have seen for too long how oppressors will not stop oppressing unless and until one stand up and be counted. No one is going to stop oppression by passive low-toned conversations. It is not going to happen.
Comrade RCG1 is not in the death camps and thus, not experiencing the hardships comrades within the death kkkamps are experiencing. In fact, when the pigs slam a brotha against the wall and call in goon squad friends to help him bash a brothas head in, what are you suggesting one to do? Accept it? Are you saying that we should lick the boots of these racist pigs and not defend ourselves? Are you suggesting that we sit and wait for you or some other outside group to come and stop our heads from being bashed in? How do you figure? Even a dog has the right to defend itself from attach and we are saying is no different. We are saying that we should and must defend ourselves against the brutality that aggresses us. We are saying that we have a right to be treated as human being regardless of us being prisoners.
The days of We Shall Overcome and accept being beaten, kicked, knocked down, spit upon and abused is over. Sure, we agree that conversation is always good but there comes a time when there is no room for talk, and that is all we are saying. We are not suggesting that comrades go crazy and start attacking pigs. However, we do say that if a pig assaults you or your brotha to defend yourselves by all and every means. Meantime, comrade RCG1, if you want to accept someone smashing you head in, then by all means accept it, but we aren't buying it.
In the trenches
--A Michigan Prisoner, 6 Dec. 96
AN EYE FOR AN EYE? A PIG FOR A PRISONER?
More information about this situation in Texas can be found in MIM Notes, 131 "Texas Prison Activist Launches Hunger Strike" and MIM 135 in ULK , "Texas Prisoner exposes the Murder and Brutality in Prison."
Sirs, I was very surprised to see in [MIM Notes] No. 131, page 10, The Texas Prison Activist Article because I was there in the fields less than 50 yards away Daniel was shot, in the head. Don't you know that boy's hands were raised in surrender when the bullet tore though his brain. That incident totally fucked me up. I saw a puff of red mist pop out of that dudes head and he hit the ground and did not move. And to top it off the Sergeant rides over with his horse, gets down and flips Daniel over and handcuffs him. How do we know that wasn't the move that killed Daniel.
Now again 6 weeks ago, give or take some, an inmate by the name of Gary Crenshaw, had a major use of force done against him. At which time the pigs broke his neck. He is also dead. Both officers [who killed Gary] are still at work. Daniel's killer is also at work here still. Four or five weeks ago about 50 inmates stormed the front desk from the rec. yard and smashed down on seven pigs. (Good for us) I did get to be involved. Wish I could have seen how now I am suffering a major lockdown of all of us closed custody inmates. We should have killed two of theirs like they killed two of ours.
Well Again, Thanx. In Struggle,
--A Texas Prisoner, 12 Mar, 97
RACISM CAUSES REBELLION IN UTAH'S MAXIMUM SECURITY
The Maximum Security wing of the Utah State Prison explodes with pent-up aggression and ugly hatred as the guards run for shields and gather reinforcements.
This latest battle was small-scale and nothing new to the pigs who place racist skin heads and minority gang members on the same tier, knowing without a doubt that blood will be spilled as a result of the intolerance and stupidity of both parties involved.
Instead of joining forces to make a stand against the murderous pig oppressors, the various hostage groups held captive inside of this hate factory would rather fight amongst themselves for their racist ideology.
By word of mouth and whatever literature I receive it is my intention to open minds up to the ideology of the Communist beliefs. I struggle to spread the word and to gather comrades together to stand equal in unity.
The goose-stepping pigs who keep us under lock and key spread hate, fear, and terrorize the people. It is because of Mr. and Mrs. Pig that the hate and intolerance level is at an all time high here in this facility.
The pigs will not prevail! Comrades world-wide held hostage in dirty piss boxes will not be silenced. From sea to polluted sea we shall rise and revolt. With mass assistance from our Brothers and Sisters in the Anarchist, Green and other Anti-Pig movements, we will be victorious in our struggle. These Utah pigs are totally out of control. This Utah state Prison (KKKlansville) is so out of line that it's even taking verbal heat from the big pigs at the state's capital.
You are not forgotten. We shall not be silenced.
--A Utah Prisoner, 8 Mar. 97
MIM NOTES: Many anarchists are indeed allies in the struggle against imperialism. But we have strong disagreements with them about how to make revolution. For more information check out MIM Theory #8, "The Anarchist Ideal and Communist Revolution."
VIRGINIA REBELLION
Dear MIM: On December 26, 1996, an inmate stabbed a Warden. Thereafter, at least 200 inmates gathered on the recreation yard in unity. All the staff members exited, for safety, into the watch commander's office. The law library was destroyed, regular library, gym and grievance division damaged, and the commissary looted, during the incident.
In the front entrance to the dining hall, the officer in the master control room deliberately and intentionally pushed the control button opening the gate. The officer attempted to shut it. As inmates stopped him, the racist H. Ponton directly shot 4 inmates, wounding them in the hand, torso, back and chest. These were 2 officers armed, 2 dogs and other members standing and controlling the entrance area. As the inmates asked for medical attention, he forced them to lay on the ground and then handcuffed them. He directed the medical staff out of the facility.
The process taken: no visitation, no telephone calls, tampering of out- going mail and legal mail, [and] no money orders. Prisoners receiving money orders in the mail as of Dec. 20, 1996 have not received a receipt.
Two inmates must be separately handcuffed in the cells as one can leave while the other remain to take a shower under 3 officers [supervision]. it was required that under the new Federal Court hearing, the facility must comply with issuing balanced meal, but to no avail have they acted. Armed officers with dogs escort prisoners to other sections in the facility.
No cleaning supplies for cells, no inmate workers, unsanitary conditions remain. Staff makes walk-bys or security checks every 2-3 hours. the regular housing block, 950 total, built for 500. There was no violence before the uprising.
Within his 5 months as Warden there have been 3 lockdowns. Staff act highly disrespectful and no disciplinary action is taken. Inmates served institution warrants do not have the right to ask for witnesses. On October 15, 1996, an officer claimed that inmates attempted to hang him and robbed him. It was false.
-- A Virginia Prisoner, 3 Jan. 97
ACTS OF VIOLENCE IN VIRGINIA
Greetings Comrades: I write you from Buckingham prison camp where there was cause to celebrate. The overseer warden being served his daily bread on Dec. 26, 1996. Prisoners reacted to this situation: burned the library which took five hours to put out, and the commissary was expropriated (looted and vandalized). Prison guards were attacked - prison flunkies didn't [expect] this - Virginia's prisoners reacting to their oppression.
On May 4, 1996, a prisoner at Maklenburg Correctional Center stabbed a guard in apparent retaliation for the stun gunning days earlier, of a prisoner in the yard. In July 1996, two more guards were stabbed about nine times at Greenville Correctional Center. On July 6, 1996, there was a fracas between prisoners and prison guards at the prison's segregation unit recreation yard at the Nottoway Correctional Center. During which time it is alleged several guards suffered superficial wounds, and a number of prisoners say they were cornered and beaten. On Aug. 9, 1996, two guards were stabbed at Nottoway and four hostages were taken. More than 250 prisoners rioted. One day later, prisoners set fire to a building forcing the evacuation of 56. Only one of these Aug. 9, incidents, the hostage standoff, was reported to the public.
Since Dec. 26, 1996, prisoners have been given very small portions of food. No telephone calls until Jan. 9, 1997. Visitation has been suspended since Dec. 26, 97. The Department of Incorrections had its strike force and canine units within the compound for intimidation. If prisoners had to be escorted to the prison infirmary, the dogs were used to escort prisoners along with prison guards. The canine units were discontinued on or about Jan. 18, 97.
The restrictions of what prisoners cannot have, beginning 1-1997, concerning property: no typewriters, 1 pair of tennis shoes, state clothing exclusively, 5 inch TV sets, no more 12 inch screens. This is a concept that has been in planning stages along with social cutbacks.
Solidarity,
--A Virginia Prisoner, 18 Jan. 97
AFTERMATH OF OCTOBER 1995 REBELLIONS THROUGH-OUT THE FED BOP
As you may be aware on or around Oct. 18th, 1995 the U.S. Congress shot down passage of a bill that would have balanced out the disparity in the sentencing laws for Crack-Cocaine, a bias law that has victimized an extremely large portion of minorities, mainly African-Americans and Latinos. Whereas, all the whites arrested/convicted for Crack sales have resulted in State cases Vs. Federal cases and longer sentences for the minorities.
On Oct. 19th, 1995, in the Federal Correction Institution - Talladega, Alabama, a rebellion occurred. [Which resulted in] nearly seven million dollars in property damage and numerous injuries for both staff and inmate alike. This was the beginning of a rash of rebellions which began to occur instantaneously through-out the Federal Bureau of Prisons. (There are nearly 90 federal institutions across the U.S.)
On October 20th, 1995, the Director of the b.o.p. sent a communiqué to the Wardens of all secured institutions, ordering a nation-wide lock-down. Some of the rebellions occurred before the lock- down, at the announcement of the lock-down, and after inmates were released from lock-down.
Around Jan. 1996, the b.o.p. designed a program to further punish the alleged main participants of the rebellions (as all of those found guilty received various sanctions from the discipline hearing officer in the range of loss of good-time, time in disciplinary segregation and disciplinary transfer.) and to deter the non-participants from massive rebellions in the future. They designed ten institutions that would house 465 inmates (alleged main participants) for up to one year. These institutions are being run in CONTROL UNIT fashion, whereas: inmates are on lockdown status 22 _ hours a day, inmates must be shackled upon leaving their cells for any reason, visits are non-existent, being that everyone was sent to institutions on the opposite of the u.s. from their legal residence, and we are allowed one 15 minute phone call a month. The Control Unit has always been used for BEHAVIOR MODIFICATIONS purposes and the general methods that are still utilized to achieve the objective are:
1. ISOLATION - Deprives inmates of all social supports of his ability to resist, in turn causing him/her to become dependent upon correctional staff.
2. MONOPOLIZATION OF PERCEPTION - Fixes attention upon immediate predicament; foster introspect. Eliminates stimuli completing with those controlled by staff. Frustrates all actions not consistent with compliance.
3. SLEEP DEPRIVATION - Bright lights, or darkness, barren environment, restricted movement, and monotonous food, slamming of doors, shaking of keys loudly in front of an inmate's cell, loud clicking of handcuffs as passes an inmate's cell.
4. DEGRADATION - Denial of privacy. Insults and taunts makes cost of resistance appear more damaging to self-esteem than capitulation. Reduces inmates to "animal level" concerns.
5. OCCASIONAL INDULGENCES - Occasional favors, fluctuations of interrogation attitudes, promises, rewards for partial compliance, tantalizing.
6. DEMONSTRATING "OMNIPOTENCE" - Confrontation staff to inmates, pretending co-operation taken for granted, broken promises, demonstrating complete control over an inmate's fate.
There are 25 of us at this institution for alleged riot participation. Being under these conditions creates instances of "double jeopardy," as we have already served sanctions for our alleged wrong acts and being on lock-down for one year was not one the sanctions melted out to any of us. However the b.o.p. has attempted to cover themselves from legal attack on these grounds by claiming, "they have no bed-space at the HIGH institutions to house us and once bed-space is available we will be designated." This is the official position of the b.o.p., but upon arrival here and at the other institutions the staff made it know that we would be held here for punishment up to one year and that we have nothing coming, and that each time we violate any rule the year will re-start from the date of the infraction.
During the later part of June 1996, we were told that due to structuring problems at the High (presently being constructed) institution in Beaumont, TX that we would be here for 18 - 24 months. This information created a "food strike," which lasted four days and one inmate didn't eat for 10 days and became ill. He was force fed in a brutal manner by staff and repeatedly threatened by staff. These type of situations are occurring at all ten of the institutions that are housing 465 of us.
In between Oct. 19, 1995 and April 1996, many inmates were brutally beaten by staff without provocation, as retaliation for their alleged involvement in the rebellions. These beatings have been silenced and no charges, administratively nor criminally have resulted in the staff on inmate assaults. However, a large number of inmates were charged in federal court with MUTINY, ASSAULT, AND DESTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. The staff continue to mentally and physically abuse us, and pit other inmates (we are housed with pre-trial detainees) against us by telling them we are the reason for them being locked-down at this institution, we're vicious killers, etc.
We (all 465 of us) are placed in a hazardous, biased, unconstitutional and subjective situation simply because of our skin color. For the most part many of the administrative staff, at many of the institutions which had rebellions, over-played the rebellion situations. And to put themselves in better position for promotion, they targeted inmates who were not wanted at their institution for whatever reason and gave them up as agitators or leaders of the rebellion, when there was no evidence to support these findings other than fabricated evidences. It is a well known fact, that the crack-cocaine laws have suppressed a large percentage of minorities. The longer sentences are in fact stagnating out reproductive years and creating a genocide against the people. This is a crime in itself, but the ones instituting the laws are apparently ABOVE THE LAW, as no one has been charged for its implementation. Prisons have become BIG business and I say it's time that someone take a closer look at the matter
There has been a media black-out on this situation even though there is a major need for public exposure, as their tax dollars are involved in a large way. Many of us accused of involvement have supported many organization, Famm, Million Man March, Cure, etc. but we have received little or no support in return. Has solidarity died in these times of mass prison building?
Thus far there have been three legal challenges to the incident reports and about four more challenges forthcoming. It's my hope to re-alert the people to the after-math of the b.o.p. riots and to see if we can generate some form of support
Free the Land! Respectfully,
--A Federal Prisoner, 8 Dec. 97