Dear MIM, I am a South Carolina prisoner in the Allendale Correctional Institution. I was placed on lock down in July 1996 for a riot that took place here. They shot so many inmates. When the media came they only said that they fired 4 rounds (warning shots), when they actually fire over 400 rounds.
The buckshot penetrated the skin of myself, and over 200 inmates, but yet they [claim they] only fired 4 shots in the air.
Again South Carolina, the worst and most corrupt prison, succeeded in a cover up. All the officers got their rocks off by shooting us unarmed inmates up. This whole SCDC [South Carolina Department of Incorrections], system is corrupted by Michael Moore.
The whole legal system of America does nothing but suppress people. It is a military state. The United Snakes feeds off other little countries to make itself look big and get rich quick. Well I am tired of it. Something should be done before it's too late. ... -- A South Carolina Prisoner, 6 May 1997
MIM ADDS: We agree that the U$ is an imperialist nation
that feeds off many countries and dominates the oppressed nationals
within its borders. We advocate exposing these atrocities. MIM works
to build public opinion on the subjects toward the end of the
masses seizing state power. Thank you for your contribution. We hope
others will follow your example and work with MIM against imperialist
repression.
OHIO PRISONERS RESIST OPPRESSION
Revolutionary Greetings! I am writing from the Orient Correction Institution, in Orient, Ohio. After many months of harassment, repressive restrictions, mass shake downs, verbal abuse and beatings -- prisoners begin to fight back.
Yesterday (July 9, 1997) prisoners who had just been moved to a newly implemented punishment program, set the building a fire. As clouds of smoke rolled across the yard, the rebellion spread through the prison. Prisoners in other dormitories began tearing up the dorms. The goon squad moved in wearing full riot gear and body armor.
As the firemen extinguished the fires outside, the good squad chained prisoners together and began loading them onto buses to disperse the rebellious prisoners to other prisons throughout the state. So far over 400 hundred prisoners have been moved from the prison in the past 18 hours, and the prison is now locked down.
Prisoncrats aren't telling the corporate news media that the reason prisoners set fire to the building, that housed the punishment program, was that prisoners who were being moved into this program had already been punished long ago for alleged rule violations! Some of the alleged rule violations took place as far back as a year or two, and these prisoners were punished at that time with months of isolation in the "Hole". Now without any provocation the pigs decided to punish these prisoners again -- without any due notification.
This rebellion was clearly orchestrated by prisoncrats themselves. Even the guards admit the administration was trying to start a riot.
Sporadic rebellion is likely to continue here since the pigs are
still using repressive tactics. Prisoners are fully aware that the
roofs burn easily, and may set fires to more dormitories. Prisoners
here will no longer accept these gestapo tactics, since we have nothing
left to lose but the chains of oppression! In the revolutionary struggle,
-- An Ohio Prisoner, 10 July 1997
FEDERAL CONDITIONS WORSEN
... I am one of the federal prisoners from Dublin who was falsely accused of participating in the fall 19995 riots. I am writing you to enlighten you on present conditions in Marianna.
Earlier this year, they took out our closet spaces, cut out half the counter and bolted down the lockers. Recently, we just found out that the doors with food slots have arrived and they are going to begin hanging them at the men's FCI [Federal Correctional Institution] first. This unit already has begun to ship out as many persons with low security or with clear conduct. All of their actions tend to lead toward a lock down facility. The warden, Sal Seanez, claims that it is only in case of an "emergency situation", but I find that doubtful -- A Federal Prisoner, 9 June 97
P.S. In the latest issue of MIM Notes [MN 138], you included part of one of my letters regarding our lack of leisure library [Under Lock and Key, Briefs Section, "No Library"]. You printed that I am a Florida prisoner.
Although I am in the state of Florida, I am a FEDERAL inmate in a FEDERAL institution in the state of Florida. I feel that emphasis on federal is important, as the general public thinks that federal prisoners live it up, as though these federal institutions are country clubs. We don't even have a leisure library, or newspapers from the outside, unless someone sends them to us.
MIM ADDS: Your point about being a federal versus a state prisoner is well taken. Being a federal prisoner is different from being state prisoner. We agree with you and regret this error.
The federal prison system incarcerates the third largest number of people in the United Snakes, with California and Texas being first and second respectively.
Thank you for noting this important point. Often people forget
that the federal prison system is so large. It is easy to get confused,
since federal prisons and prisoners are scattered throughout the
U$ and not concentrated in one place like Texas.
THE STG PHENOMENON [SECURITY THREAT GROUP]
i can remember first reading about the above policy and practice in the California prison system employed against captives who were identified as "gang" members. After being so identified, captives would be tossed into Administrative Segregation or an SHU [Segregated Housing Units]. Here they would languish until they either "paroled, debriefed, or died." I recall thinking how diabolical this scheme was. How it could be used - twisted-to be a tool of political repression.
I was still in the fetus stage of my studies when I first read about the situation in California prisons. I hadn't then realized that the repressive policies and practices were designed form the start to neutralize political activism behind the barbed- wire. The disguise of `fighting "gang" activity' was used for legitimacy. If exposed to the public, the people would support it. Who doesn't want an end to the high rate of crime and violence that is commonly associated with "gangs"?
Since my first exposure to STG ("security threat group") policies and practices in the California prison system, I have learned that it has spread to prisons across the u.s. And as of December 16, 1996, the state in which I am held captive had enacted its own political policy: 04.04.113, "Identification and Management of Security Threat Groups and Members."
Comrade George [Jackson] taught Us that "Power responds to all threats. The response is repression." Have We learned from history? COINTELPRO, NEWKILL, etc. If We are not prepared to deal with the Paper Tiger, then it will force its claws deeply into Our efforts at educating to liberate.
STG can be defeated. We ain't got to be forced into a corner with Our only option being to either debrief, to denounce Our political associations, or fact repression. However, the only chance We got to defeat STG is to end Our isolation. We got to reach outside these kkkoncentration kkkamps into the communities from which We came and of which We represent in our organizing and educating efforts. When the Paper Tigers attempt to attack, We got to have an outside base of support. Do Our people on the outside know Us? Do they know what we care about? Or, will they be left to believe whatever spiel the Paper Tigers wish to say about Us? If because We have no roots on the outside We are left vulnerable to unbridled repression, it is no one's fault but Our own!
Myself and others in Michigan want to expose the STG Phenomenon. However, We want to do so based on how it has spread across the u.s. We are asking for captives from any state in amerikkka that has some form of STG policy and/or practice to forward information and documentation to Us. You may forward such information/documentation to: [MIM and] N.I.S. & G. Publishing, c/o Mbwa Wa-Kulindi, 654 Franklin Road, Pontiac, MI 48341
-- A Michigan Prisoner, 19 May 97
OLD DEATH ROW = NEW CONTROL UNIT ALERT!!!
S.C. Prison Administrators clandestinely seek to convert old death row unit into state's second control unit!
Revolutionary Greeting Comrades: Be advised that SCDC [South Carolina Department of Corruption's] Officialdom is in the process of modifying the old death row unit here in the Broad River Prison Colony, entitled Edisto Unit, into what appears to be the state's second control unit.
Because ever since the doydens transferred all the death row prisoners to the Liebra Prison Colony, major alterations continue to be made. Including the application of mesh wiring to most cell doors and the erection of beams and walls - apparently for separation purposes.
This unit was open as a regular lock-up component on April 19,1997, but on July 1, 1997 Supermax procedures come into effect here.
Last week five high security prisoners (ML5) were brought in from surrounding Ad-Seg. [Administrative Segregation] Units. I was selected for placement here in April 1997 despite the 2 years of repression i endured at SC Maximum Security Control Unit at [location]. So all aggressive agitating militants, paralegals, anarchists, Black Nationalists, Anti-Imperialists, Theoreticians, Propagandists, Revolutionaries and Communists, BEWARE!
-- A South Carolina Prisoner, 17 June 97
SEGREGATION SHUFFLE
Dear MIM, ... I have not received anything since March. Being in D.D.U., I would have guessed that my mail was being help up or turned away. But I have a bit of a story for you.
On July 2, 1997, I was released from D.D.U. at 9:00 am. I was assigned a cell out in population. I cleaned this cell's walls, floor and the toilet before I fixed up my stuff in the places I wanted it to be placed.
At 2:30 in the afternoon, I was done. And no sooner had I sat down than 7-10 officers were at my cell door ordering me to cuff up. I asked why and was ignored. I asked to see the captain and was denied. After a while, I cuffed up and I was brought back to D.D.U. for no reason, with no explanation. That's how dirty they are here in Walpole State Prison.
In Struggle,
-- A Massachusetts Prisoner, 6 July 1997
P.S. I even got the same cell back in D.D.U. (How nice)
THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES DESPITE BRUTALITY
Comrade MIM: Once again I find myself in a very unique political position of significant repressive subjugation as the fascist Bastards continue their effort to neutralize my political consciousness. But my ambitions to move forward as a crucial thinker, a doer and a Revolutionary Soul-jah will proceed without capitulating the principles of our vital struggle. ...
Bro. MC be advised that the Doyen Bastards have heightened their repression directed at progressive prisoners here at Lee Corruptional Institutional Colony. Oh, yes, I was targeted for and became the victim of the state sponsored terrorism.
On May 2 1997, I was restrained in the torture chair for four hours. The torture chair is employed for disrespect to a prison official, and prisoners talking cell to cell. [Also used] to enforce intimidation upon ASU [Administrative Segregation Unit] prisoners and to make them go along with the rampant human rights abuses that are routinely practiced in the ASU.
The pseudo reason I was placed in the torture restraint chair was the librarian (Randall Forton) claimed that I had his glasses that I supposedly grabbed from his face. In addition Randall told several representatives that he, Randall had honestly misplaced some legal copies that he was to deliver to me, and to this day those copies have not been located.
The goons immediately had cuffed me and tore up the cell/cage -- but no glasses were found. About 2 hours later I was in the shower and was told by Lieutenant Stuckey that the Associate Warden, Ms. Robertson, informed them to put me in the torture chair.
Subsequent to an individual enduring 4 or 8 hours in the torture chair, he is further deprived of food, a bed/mattress, all clothes, all bed linen, soap, tooth paste/brush, toilet paper and writing/reading materials. This deprival of hygiene necessities is enforced for 7 to 12 consecutive days. I was also charged for their gestapo tactic for assault, battery and disrespect - and I was found guilty based on supportive statements in narrative written by, of course, Randall Forton, the librarian.
The move itself is a confirmation of how much a threat I pose to the colonial occupational personnel because this move also affirms that I'm hurting the adroit fascists somehow.
But I will never submit to these Racist Caucasian oppressors who run this apartheid type system.
Rage On,
-- A South Carolina Prisoner, 28 May 1997
WISCONSIN SLAVE WAGES
Revolutionary Salutes Comrades, I shout at you from the bowels of the Green Bay KKKoncentration KKKamp which is under neo-KKKolonialist rule by Master Tommy Thompson. I would like to give you my Revolutionary thanks to all `rades that are lending support to my brother Kalphani Khaldun who is still fighting for his right to live in the oppressive KKKamp of Pendleton, Indiana. Revolutionary Shout out to you by brother. I am down to the end, if they come for you tonight, they will come for me in the morning!
Presently Master Thompson has come up with more profitable slave plan within the KKKoncentration KKKamp. He has a contract with an outside glove company and he uses the prisoners/slaves to make the product. The bait is minimum wage pay by the hour, but after the master takes out for room & board, and medical costs, the slave is left with less than $1.00 of that minimum wage. By stressing the money, Master Thompson tried to make it sound like he he's looking out for the prisoners/slaves best welfare but yet he is actually getting more if all the prisoners/slaves could work in his sweatshops. These shops are run in 2 shifts from 8 am to 9 pm. He is trying to get as many workers/slaves as he can to fill his shops.
The question is: If the rent and medical bills are already paid for by the taxpayers, where does all the money that they take out actually go? Those that work within the sweatshops must still pay $2.50 to see the nurse even though medical is taken out of their pay.
I refuse to make Master Thompson's pockets fatter, so I don't participate in the sweatshops.
There was an investigation with the company because it is believed that people on the street were fired so that the slaves on this plantation could take their spots. These jobs of course do not offer any placement once one is released, it is only for the KKKamp. This is just another way that the Neo- KKKolonialist state is getting over, and like I said before Nobody here is saying anything. .
I leave you in Revolutionary love.
-- A Wisconsin Prisoner, 8 July 1997
FREEZING FUNDS
Revolutionary Greetings Comrades and MIM and RAIL, ... I am totally indigent because of the new policy that this institution has adopted. No inmates on lock-up will be allowed to write a check out of their account, except for legal fees. Thus freezing my account to all publications and personal bills, which I may need to pay. I have been subject to such harsh treatment Because the chief of this Dept. of Corruptions has classified myself as well as others, as being a threat to security because of our membership or affiliation with a group known as the 5% Nation of Islam, or that Nation of Gods and Earth.
In this case these capitalists have shown their true colors for we have done no wrong in our conduct, yet we are all punished because of our extensive amount of knowledge we are a threat. (Sound Familiar?)
I recall MIM Notes stating there are no rights just power struggles. That is 100% correct. ...We (myself and a couple of comrades) have strived to form a study group. Our communication is very limited, but the important thing is we have started. ...
Strengthen the Struggle. Always your comrade,
-- A South Carolina Prisoner
MEDICAL AND HYGIENE ABUSES
Dear MIM, ... As you know I've spent already almost seven years in solitary confinement isolation and I have stood up for the cause of the struggle and Prisoner's rights both in prisons and on the streets all the way.
Because of me being able to mobilize thousands of prisoners, I have been subject to barbaric corporal punishments in large doses. 31 months of bread and cabbage only and three-piece, full restraints, always leg irons cuff behind the back to waist chain. Yet I suffer from epilepsy and asthma attacks, and 10 other medications I take for disabilities etc., coming to a total of 12 medications. At the present time I'm also on deprivation of shower/yard exercise, haircut, cell cleanup and a pillow.
I'm dying. My blood sugar count is only 29. Extremely low blood pressure 100/60, gastritis, chest pains, dizziness, seizures, asthma, migraine headaches, infections, allergies, sinusitis, upchucking blood, etc.
The beastly pigs even urinate on the bread and cabbage. If you wish, send complaints to:
M. McGinnis, Superintendent, Southport Correctional Facility, PO Box 200, Pine City, NY 14871
Dr. Wright, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Correctional Services, State Office Campus Building #2, Albany, NY 12208
Respectfully,
-- A New York Prisoner, 10 July 1997
MICHIGAN OVERCROWDING
... As you may know, Michigan Prisons are well beyond their capacity. They have brothers sleeping on the floors and in the day rooms at this particular camp in the heart of Detroit. ...
-- A Michigan Prisoner 24 May 97
KALIFORNIA GOONS PANICK & REPRESSION
... I've been getting your publication for over a year now, with no problems, until issues #133 & #134, where page 2, 6, and 10 were censored for violent content. Then I received issues #135 & #136, with no problems. Please continue to sent me issues,
Here in the Kalifornia prisons, the pigs have been slammin' us down `cause a convict with AIDS escaped from the Vacaville prison near here. Anybody with life or escapes or their record is getting locked down after 4:00 p.m. The goons are panicked.
In the struggle,
-- A California Prisoner, 10 May 1997
INVOLUNTARY PROTECTIVE CUSTODY
I'm not in the hole anymore, ... they have me in involuntary protective custody until they ship me to another joint. They claim that my behavior disrupts the proper runnin' of the facility cause I beat the tickets they served on me on appeal.
They can't put me in the box and they don't want me in general population here so they put me in IPC which is almost like the box. You just have all your privileges and instead of 1 hour rec. [recreation], you get 2 hours rec. in the regular yard. So I'm basically waitin' to get shipped to another joint. ...
--A New York Prisoner, 16 June 1997