NO TIME FOR APATHY
Revolutionary Greetings, Be advised, even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action. All Power To De People!!!
-- A South Carolina Prisoner, 15 January 1997
500 TRANSFERRED TO PRIVATE PRISONS IN TEXAS
i was caught up in a "shuffle" by the kkkolorado department of kkkoruptions that resulted in the placement of 500 prisoners of war into "private prisons" in tekkkas. After a month of being "in transit", i remain behind enemy lines in kkkolorado and am now being "permanently housed" at a new (to me) facility.
The plans to begin a revolutionary study group at my "old" facility, must now be revised. The search for conscious comrades here is proving tedious and in all likelihood I will have to educate and recruit first. Nonetheless, it's ever-forward, never back!
-- A Colorado Prisoner, 27 March 1997
INSUFFICIENT FOOD SERVICES
Got an interesting story for you about FCI Bastrop. About 2 months ago they decided to remodel the floor in food service because the tile wasn't the right color. Now we have to eat off paper plates and cold food for the last two months. Now they have a make-shift kitchen that can't feed the whole institution and are dumping the cleaning water for the dishes into storm drains and are polluting Bastrop lake with refuse and garbage. Hopefully someone will give them up here to OSHA or EPA or Greenpeace. Perfect for Earth Day, but I'm still hanging on by a thread.
-- A Texas Prisoner, 21 April 1997
CENSORSHIP DOESN'T STOP STUDY GROUP
MIM Comrades, Revolutionary Greetings! I am writing to you from the Gulags here in Pennsylvania, to bring you up to date on the latest form of oppression. The literature you sent to me has been denied, claiming that it advocates violence and is a clear and present danger to the orderly running of this institution. The literature that was sent to me was MIM Theory #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12. All were denied.
I am currently appealing this decision, so I will keep you posted on the situation. We have started a study group here, with about eleven fellow comrades with the number growing every day. It is hard to educate without enough literature, and these people denying MIM Theory only makes it harder. But what these PIGS fail to realize is that all of us have dealt with such treatment and oppression all our lives. We've struggled this far through life and we'll continue to strive and over come! The Prisoncrats have not tried to censor MIM Notes yet, and hopefully they won't.
We understand the Struggle will be a hard and long fight, and we are prepared to go the distance!!! I will include the names of those responsible for censoring MIM Theory, so letters of protest can be sent. Maybe once they see that we have outside support, they will stop this censorship.
--A Pennsylvania Prisoner, 21 March 1997
Letters of Protest can be sent to: Acting Superintendent, Ben Varner, SCI Greene, 1040 E. Roy Furman Hwy, Waynesburg, PA 15370-8090 and John J. D'Eletto, Chairperson, Publications Review Committee, SCI Greene, 1040 E. Roy Furman Hwy, Waynesburg, PA 15370-8090
MORE CENSORSHIP IN PENNSYLVANIA
Dear MIM,
I previously sent you a letter concerning the censorship of MIM Notes by Prisoncrats in Pennsylvania. My efforts to resolve this matter with prisoncrats has been largely unavailing. Therefore I intend to initiate legal action against them. As you well know, prisoncrats cannot censor a publication because it contains views unfavorable to the penal system or because they disagree with the philosophy of the organization that publishes it.
You may send letters of protest to the following individuals.
Commissioner, Martin F. Horn, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, PO Box 598, Camp Hill, PA 17001-0598 Superintendent, Kenneth D. Kyler, SCI Camp Hill, PO Box 200, Camp Hill, PA 17001-0200 I will keep you abreast as things develop.
-- A Pennsylvania Prisoner, 14 April 1997
EDUCATION IS A SECURITY THREAT IN AMERIKAN GULAGS
IN NEW YORK
Receiving MIM Notes is an absolute honor for me. I in turn encourage other prisoners within these boundaries (hole) while sharing the informative pages of your paper.
However, these pigs are very sure to render some kind of burning bridge that would urge a divide and conquer maneuver for the action of stopping educational books, newspapers, pamphlets, etc, that will expose the filth embedded in this colonial system. They disapprove entirely of one as myself who's action is illustrated from a solid mind-frame -- but they are most certain to shake in their pants when a selected few inmates get together and bring the light (true knowledge) amongst the masses.
-- A New York Prisoner, 4 April 1997
IN SOUTH CAROLINA
For according to the mentality of SCDC [South Carolina Department of Corrections] workers they will never promote such education [i.e. MIM Notes] to prisoners. My experience with America's Prison Institutions have shown me that the clowns who run them from high positions along with their pawns who enforce their will, do not want prisoners to educate themselves. They prefer to keep [prisoners] illiterate, angry and doing all the wrong things (such as dealing in homosexual activities and telling on fellow prisoners). This causes disunity, one never knows who to trust.
Also I'm considered a threat because they claim that because I'm one with an extensive amount of knowledge (According to how much literature I had in my possession). I pose a security threat to their operations, even thought I never committed any violation of their rules and regulations I have been pre-judged only because of what I study!!! Thus I've been on lock-up until I max out unless their judicial system follows its guidelines pertaining to discrimination and due process. As far as study groups on lock-up it is pretty much impossible. Being that inmates are kept apart with the exceptions of one hour of recreation. But even then we are not allowed to bring anything out of our cells.
-- A South Carolina Prisoner, 23 April 1997
MIM ADDS: Though prisoncrats may encourage prisoners to focus on sexual activities in order to divert people from political activism. It is our assertion that homosexual activities are not wrong. It is patriarchal dominance that is wrong and it is the bourgeois, patriarchal power structure which perpetuates the ideology that only white settler, heterosexist interests must be served.
FLORIDA KENNEL CONDITIONS
After reading Under Lock and Key, I'm here to comment on the writings of a prisoner in New York who speaks of the new dog kennels they have [MIM Notes, 1 Feb 1997, #131, Under Lock and Key article, "New York Continues Repressive Conditions"]. I'm at the Washington Correctional Institution and have been a guest of the new kennels they have here since Sept. 10, 1996. We however only get 2 hours of recreation time a week and spend the rest of our time in the cell. This is called CM, Close Management, and lasts up to 36 months, this is due to change to a minimum of 36 months and up to 60 max in the near future.
They have CM in almost every prison in the state now and have just opened New River which is nothing but CM and will house about 1,000. If you treat bad people good, then some will turn good themselves, treat bad people bad and all will get worse. I just don't see the point. Prisoners everywhere, beware this is the prison of the future!
-- A Florida Prisoner, 6 March 1997
FLORIDA OPPRESSION CONTINUES
I just finished reading MIM Notes for February 1, 1997. I read "New York Continues Repressive Conditions Part 2". Well, I'm almost in the same predicament as the brother from New York only I'm in the prison system in Florida. They are making most of the prisons in Florida, "lock-down" 24 hours a day.
Any inmates that don't agree with this system are placed on the Close Management for 37 months. There was a time when only very few inmates were placed in this type of housing, but now if you even receive a minor write-up, they are putting us on this "Max Lock-Up" and there is nothing that can be done. They are building so many prisons with this in mind, that they are in need of clients. Any movement is done in restraints, legs as well as hands. Showers are 3 a week in still restraints. Visits are the same, cuffs and leg irons.
-- A Florida Prisoner in the injustice system, 5 March 1997
FEDERAL GANG UNIT
MIM, First and foremost, I'd like to commend you all at MIM for the relentless struggle you all have maintained in the direction of socialism and proletariat revolution. My most sincerest hopes are that one day we shall all share in the fruits of the fight!
I am one of fifty prisoners, segregated on one of the many concentration camps here in corporate ameriKKKa - namely, the USP at Leavenworth, infamous building #63. I am writing you in the highest of hopes of some assistance in the unveiling of some of the health threatening, and repressive practices under which we reside.
On February 15, 1996, I along with about 45-50 other Mexican inmates were rounded up and placed in administrative segregation under the motive of an investigation, and guise of gang activity. We were placed in building #63 here at leavenworth, a building over one hundred years old, and long ago condemned to closure along with the holdover unit at El Reno in Oklahoma in 1993 by Attorney Janet Reno. Since then building #63 has been utilized for assumed emergency reasons on an on again, off again basis. However, never has anybody or any group, at one time resided in health hazard condemned building #63 for such a long period of time as we have for 'over one whole year now!'
The reason the Attorney General shut down this building, along with the holdover unit at El Reno in Oklahoma, was due to the fact that said buildings are infested with Toxic Agents, namely Asbestos; "this is our prime concern here among us'. Also the plumbing in this building is so deteriorated that pipes are constantly bursting, some individual go months without adequate plumbing when such happens. The sewer lines are also always backed up and the foulest of odors has kept the air in a constant state of pollution. To top things off, there is no adequate system of ventilation - remember this building is over one hundred years old! In the summer time, we are left to deal with the heat in the best way we possibly can, for there is no sort of air conditioning what so ever. We are left to sweat like dogs in cages at a K9.
Inmates have been injured by flying pieces of the ceiling falling upon us, and inmates have been infected by spider and various insect bites one too many times. This building is clearly a health hazard and must be condemned and further demolished once and for all.
When we were first placed in segregation building #63 and under investigation status, we were denied all privileges and warrant conditions forthcoming us: proper medical attention, adequate recreational facilities, laundry and clothing exchange, visitation, full commissary ability, phone usage, and we are still not able to participate in education programs or programs of such, otherwise available to the general population. Over a year behind us now, one hunger strike, two brief uprisings, exhaustion of all institutional remedies, various letters to our respective state representatives, and the request for assistance in an effective transfer to our regional director - and we are still here under the same ongoing investigation, and under the same health threatening conditions!
Sure enough - yet needless to say - we have gained some concession amenities, such as: extended recreational periods, an expanded commissary ability, and other peace meals as such. But we are all aware that these are merely psychological straight jackets, constraints to keep us repressed. We are asking that an end be given to this exhausted investigation, and that inference be made based on the collected information. If the conclusion is determined that we are to remain under segregation status, then make arrangements for effective transfer for appropriate segregational facility, so that we can be given every detailed condition we got forthcoming to us. Due Conditions that are here at Leavenworth Building #63 will never become feasible!
Power to the Peoples! Always a Comrade In Struggle!
-- A Federal Prisoner, 16 March 1997
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE TEST OR TRICK
There is a new trend that's sweeping through these corruption mechanized slave kamps. This genocidal tactic is under the disguise called a "psychological profile test". However, this tactic is directed toward the militant brothers who have been singled out by the prison keepers and placed in control units and long term ad-seg. for their political, cultural and religious understandings.
Here in the Slave Delta of South KKKarolina, myself along with a number of other brothers have been in these units for 2, 3, 4 and some for 10 years with no institutional infractions. And since April 27, we have been placed on ML5 status, meaning permanent isolation until otherwise deemed by the prison keepers to replace us back into general population. But in order to be eligible to be placed back into population we must undergo this psychological profile test. Keep in mind comrades, that this test is being administered by the same prison keepers that initially placed us on these units to begin with. And agreeing to this test, once you're deemed psychologically unfit (in which we will be), then these corrupt prison keepers advance into a position to further restrict us from the general population as well as placing us on "mind altering drugs" that decreases the mental powers.
This is a tactic that's being carried out under the banner of protecting the greater imperialist capitalist society. And to eradicate the prison masses of political cultural and religious conscious that would enhance resistance. So, in actuality, this psychological profile test is being implemented as a behavior modification tactic that's designed to mentacide and genocide a whole breed of militant resisters who are within those deprivation kamps.
Those who have been deemed psychologically unfit by a so called psychologist, would be placed in long term isolation unit until otherwise cleared or cured.
Also comrades we must remember that our enemies will use every method available to discredit and eliminate the opposition that opposes their oppressive capitalist rule. The history of COINTELPRO proves this. "A final goal should be to prevent the long range growth of militant Black nationalist organizations, especially among the youth. Specific tactics to prevent those groups from converting young people must be developed." (COINTELPRO sub-sec. No. 51)
From closely observing this, it's clear that this psychological profile test is only a tactic to eradicate militants through mentacidal and genocidal tactics. So remain steadfast in the struggle to free the land, through stiff resistance.
-- A South Carolina Prisoner, 20 February 1997
IN PRISON PSYCHOLOGY = TORTURE
Things are pressured in on all sides. Yet, I'm not crushed in my struggle to keep my head above the waters of sanity. I stand firm and tall in what I represent as truth and justice. As expected in a Texas Prison, that's a major no no. Due to my strong remission against bowing down to injustice, the unit warden referred me to a psych Doctor, who sent me to Rusk, Texas, TDC, Psych Treatment Center, where I've been for nine months.
They had me tagged as being in a structure program that would shape my mind, where I could comply with the prison regulations. They us the tactics of drugs and severe mental anguish in order to break a person's spirit to maintain control in part of the program. Yet I withstood it and came out gracefully without a scratch. I refused to bow down and didn't swallow their poison. I will never bow down. I am a true soldier 'til my death.
Meanwhile so many women are dying in the Texas Prison system - mostly from lack of medical attention and horrid treatment and housing. At this time on Murray Unit they have over 600 women locked in a big warehouse like building with the windows nailed down, no air conditioning. More than 6% of us are sick.
Unfortunately, Texas women usually are very weak, simple minded with no backbone, two faced, scary, ass hoes. Who spend more time breaking each other down and jealousy. They can't seen when their looking.
--A Texas Prisoner, 17 February 1997
MIM RESPONDS: We agree that psychology is another word for torture in prison. Remember that the prisoncrats are your principle enemy, not your fellow prisoners. The pigs are the ones torturing people by denying medical care and breaking people's spirits.
Others around you may not be as strong as you, that is why you must lead by example. Calling names and making broad generalizations about your fellow prisoners does not help the struggle for revolution. It only helps to divide you, which is exactly what the pigs want. Instead try to educate and lead. Remember you are not alone. There are many serious revolutionary prisoners out there facing similar problems. Do not give up hope in your fellow prisoners, help them change for the better. Work with MIM to educate and organize for revolution.
NOT ALONE IN THE STRUGGLE
...I was surprised to acknowledge in [MIM] Notes 134 that other prisoners have responded to my article in [MIM] Notes 126 titled, "Unity in Michigan Prisons Questioned". I was especially pleased to know that my voice did not fall upon deaf ears and has been heard as far as Wisconsin.
I thank all the comrades that have responded to my article and letting me know that I am not alone in my struggle. Being encouraged by you brothers is a good thing and helps serve to uplift my spirits. But the reality of my environment - the unity of a forward, intelligent and rational struggle is still in question.
I know that there are brothers who are real with this struggle such as I am. (even some at my location) But these such brotha's are kept separated and divided from a brotha as myself, for the fear that we my come together and unify our minds, movements, methods and "intelligent" tactics to move our struggle forward, progressively for positive change. And so, they keep the serious revolutionaries separated in an attempt to deviate and dismantle change.
The plot is to discourage and weaken us by separating us as one of their transparent tactics to break our spirits, so that we will begin to feel (psychologically) that we are in this struggle alone. With these feelings the mind and heart begin to program itself into giving up hope and struggle for change. Thus allowing himself to become broken, passive and submissive. Because it is known that often when one begins to feel the effects of aloneness in his/her struggle, one begins to give up hope and starts thinking that the possibility for change is impossible. And with this thought the spirit is broken, the mind is broken, the struggle is broken. Once this circle of spirit, mind and struggle is broken, then the programming of the beast has claimed you to think, act, walk and do as a man-made robot would do - modified, dictated and controlled by the beast that created you. With only one single thought -- If you can't beat 'em join em'. Now the circle is broken and the beast has successfully completed his goal.
But this my brotha's, irregardless of how alone, separated and divided from real brotha's like you, will never become me. I could and will never become broken and programmed into submitting, downing down, giving in and giving up the struggle to be free. My struggle for justice and to live in human dignity. The beast agenda for psychological , social and institutional programming will not affect me to change backward in a self-destruction direction. No matter how alone I may feel in this struggle I will still keep it real! Thank you whole-heartedly for your distant support.
-- A Michigan Prisoner, 15 April 1997