I did receive the MIM Notes and RAIL Newsletter that were  sent to me a couple of months ago. Originally, the Nazi  rejected it stating that is advocated violence and  insurrection. They did this becauz the front page headline  on one issue said something about PIGS.... Eventually they  gave it to me, but not before I challenged the rejection.

...Right now I am suing them becuz I was raped by a kop last  year. Evidently this is part of my sentence. It took a  year's worth of letters, threats and bitching just to get  the pig arrested. They tried to cover it up, intimidate me  into silence, the jackboot routine. It wasn't until I found  an attorney that they have given me some air.

They are gonna let the kop plead guilty to a lesser charge,  and close the case quietly. This is the last thing I want,  becuz unless and until the public is made aware of the  brutal and dehumanizing conditions that exist in  "correctional" facilities, the status quo will remain....

 -- A Michigan Prisoner, 7 August 1997

 COLORADO PRISONERS BATTLE CENSORSHIP

I am writing to inform you that the administration has had a  change of mind. I am aware that the minions of the beast are  a mindless lot, and that from now on they are going to  review each issue of MIM Notes before deciding if it will be  censored or not. While this is not a big victory, it is  encouraging that this gulag is on notice: That we/I will  fight for our/my rights.

The material you sent via your letter on how to fight the  prison censorship was very helpful. I plan to make copies  and pass the information on to other comrades in the  struggle within the beast....

 -- A Colorado Prisoner, 17 August 1997

 CENSORSHIP VICTORY IN WASHINGTON STATE

...There have been several complaints filed in the various  federal courts concerning Washington prisons censoring  political, religious, bulk mail, non-profit mail, etc. One  complaint filed in the Eastern District of Washington won  big time....

Another complaint is pending in the Western District of  Washington. I am of one the named plaintiffs in that suit  and my chief issue is not being allowed the MIM Notes. I'll keep you posted on the above. [This prison] is the pits  which should be par for prison life.

In Struggle,

 -- A Washington Prisoner, 6 September 1997

 PENNSYLVANIA PRISONERS CONTEST CENSORSHIP

I am writing to let you know that MIM is being censored here  at SCI Greene. Because the Incoming Publication Committee  states, it advocates violence, insurrection or guerrilla  warfare against the government and institutions, which  creates a present danger within the context of the  correctional institution. I'm appealing this decision and it  would be helpful if you contact the superintendent.

SCI Greene, Superintendent, Ben Varner, 1040 E. Roy Furman  Hwy, Waynesburg, PA 15370-8090

Sincerely,

 -- A Pennsylvania Prisoner, 8 August, 1997

 In July 1997, my MIM Notes were censored. SCI Greene is the  most Super Max prison in Pennsylvania. This is the first  time they ever censored my MIM Notes....

...At this very moment I'm in the process of appealing this  unconstitutional censorship to the warden. I'm still waiting  for a response ... Without a doubt, the warden is sure to  uphold this diabolical decision of his subordinates.

This is just another tactic that the agents of the United  Snakes "Porky Pig" brigade uses. Preventing the oppressed  people from receiving essential information of pure facts  ... I also sent the appeal I filed....

 -- Another Pennsylvania Prisoner, 17 July 1997

 PRISONER CHALLENGES CENSORSHIP AND DOC CAVES

I'm writing you in reference to MIM Notes that I was once  receiving. Well as I wrote you before letting you know that  the institution I'm in wouldn't allow your publication  because it advocates the violent overthrow of the united  snake government.

I filed a complaint with the department of corrections and I  threatened to go public with them violating my  constitutional rights and told them that I will "sue" the  hell out of them.

So once again, they turned over my September issue of MIM  Notes today. I was somewhat shocked that they gave in so  easy, but then I was glad that I didn't have to take anymore  measures. So please forward MIM Notes to me once again.

Thank you,

 -- A Third Pennsylvania Prisoner, 8 October, 1997

 FEDERAL PRISONER FACES CENSORSHIP

Please find enclosed herein a Publication Rejection letter  from ADX [Administrative Max] warden and Publication  Rejection Notice from ADX inmate systems manager where in  they state their Fascist reasons for intercepting my MIM  Notes. Due to ADX's Draconian-Orwellian denial of my MIM  Notes, I elected this request that you remove my name from  you mailing list.

I will not ask your readers to write to the warden or  politicians regarding the denial of MIM Notes in ADX, as MIM  Notes has done in the past in other similar incident.

As far as I am concerned, Fuck writing to wardens and  politicians. What I want is the right to vote, so we can  bring about change. That is why I support the Boycott  Wisconsin Campaign, which you could care less about.

You also told your readers to refrain from voting, and then  with a twisted logic you told your readers to write to  certain government around the world.

What also makes me suspicious of MIM Notes is that none of  the staff members have printed their names and photos in MIM  Notes as though you refuse to put your head on the chopping  block.

I still believe that MIM Notes is doing some good, but as  far as I know the MIM Notes could be printed and distributed  by the CIA.

Thank you very much for hitting my hand with MIM Notes for  the past few months! And for enlightening me on many  matters!

In Struggle,

 -- A Federal Prisoner, 30 July 1997

MIM RESPONDS:  The censorship of MIM Notes is one way that  Pig Oppressors attempt to further dominate prisoners. This  is a way the pigs prevent prisoners from educating and  organizing themselves. We have sent you a letter with tips  to combat censorship and have honored your request to be  taken off our mailing list. Often prisoners working with MIM  fight and win legal battles to end or delay censorship.

Organized legal battles that are led by the proletariat can  be fought to free up organizing space. These reformist  battles are tools that we utilize to reach the masses. For  instance, we are organizing to build support for armed  revolutionary struggle to achieve socialism. If we cannot  reach people, we can not complete larger tasks. So, if it is  possible to use the oppressor's laws to free space for  organizing for revolution, we do it. We fight winnable  battles so that the resources of the masses are not flushed  down a toilet. And as we fight winnable reformist battles  which we decide to wage, we use that as an opportunity to  point out the hypocrisy of Amerika's dictatorship of the  bourgeoisie.

Currently, voting in the United $tates government elections  is a vote of confidence in a thoroughly unjust repressive  system. This government, created by capitalist oppressors,  serves their interests at the detriment of the majority of  the world's people. True democracy necessitates self- determination of oppressed nations. Leading the masses to  vote and spend resources on voting campaigns is a waste.  Activists before have taken on this reformist battle, and we  have learned from them. Either they degenerated, lost or  wasted resources. IF it were possible, the end result of  voting in a candidate from MIM means there is one rational  materialist in a sea of bureaucrats working only in the  interests of imperialism and settler nation domination.

Even though both practices are reformist, we make a  distinction between winnable battles as described above and  battles which do not aid in the struggle to build support  for revolution. The end result of stopping censorship is 1)  that people of Amerika's hypocritical contradiction with  regard to freedom of speech and 2) we will then be able to  send literature and information. The end result of voting  would make us broke and only allow a candidate or two to be  battling from within.

We will not end oppression or even make a dent in  imperialism by voting. In fact, voting will just help to  legitimize the system by telling people we believe it can be  fixed from within. On the other hand, writing letters of  protest are small battles that we can win within the system,  while always putting this in the context of the need for  revolution.

So instead of voting, MIM advocates working for revolution.  Revolution is the development of independent institutions of  the oppressed to build a society in the interests of the  oppressed and the seizure of state power through armed  struggle. We would not go to such lengths if there were  historical or material basis for winning power for the  people without the loss of proletarian soldiers' lives.

The Maoist Internationalist Movement exposes the crimes of  imperialists and helps build independent institutions of the  oppressed. This is a more effective way to create real  change and end the oppression of the world's proletariat.

The articles in any issue of MIM Notes should allay anyone's  fears that MIM is really with the CIA. The work that we do  speaks clearly to the contrary. And our political line is  very much counter to the interests of the government and in  the interests of the international proletariat. The only  possible defense that any organization can have against such  an accusation is their line and practice. After all, the CIA  is perfectly capable of coming up with a few pretty faces  and names to print if they wanted to.

One last comment about security, MIM and RAIL do not print  names because we have learned from the history of past  revolutionary groups, like the Black Panther Party, who was  fiercely attacked by the FBI's COINTELPRO. There is no  reason to make it easier for the pigs to destroy the  people's revolutionary struggle. In this anonymity there is  accountability. The entire Party takes credit for and is  held accountable for the political line and practice of the  Party.

 PRISONER FACES RETALIATION FOR FILING GRIEVANCES

... I have recently received 6 infractions within 24 hours,  false charges of course, for retaliation of filing  grievances. This facility is run and operated by a classic  group of people as described in your zine. I continue to  circulate all publications received by you to various  prisoners. ...

-- A Florida Prisoner, 19 September 1997

 ALMIGHTY VICE LORD NATION FIGHTS FOR JUSTICE

... I recently read a piece in the Under Lock and Key  section regarding oppression by the South Carolina D.O.C.  [Dept. of Corrections], against prisoners representing a  segment of the religious and political organizations  considered an off branch of the NOI [Nation of Islam] called  the 5%ers.

Here in the State of Iowa, we as representatives of the  Almighty Vice Lord Nation [AVLN], who conform to the  Nation's Teachings and religious/political views, are also  subjected to unjust policies and procedures. The [DOC's]  Internal Affairs has openly targeted the top three  Representatives [of the AVLN]. They have isolated one from  general population under the label of Close Management.  Another was transferred to another facility.

The vocal leader was kidnapped and given 3 years  Administrative Segregation. The corrupt internal affairs  department alleged that a confidential informant told them  that "his group assaulted another inmate for disrespecting  the Almighty V/L Nation", yet ample evidence clears him of  being anywhere near the location of the alleged assault.

The Department of Corruption has not sanctions these  atrocities, but has also designed a system to now target all  Vice Lords incarcerated throughout the Iowa Penal System....

-- An Iowa Prisoner, 22 July 1997

 PRISONERS UNITE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA PIGS

Now that the newly, once Texas Warden, has become the  commissioner of SCDC [South Carolina Department of  InCorrections], numerous confrontations between the general  populations and the administration have taken place, both on  a mental and physical level. All blame the commissioner and  his newly implemented white supremacy agenda and polices.  Many strange alliances have been formed in an effort to  combat the oppressive forces and implementations of Michael  Moore.

The 5% Percent Nation has a consolidated class action civil  suit being litigated in the courts against SCDC, as do the  Native Indians, Muslims, and Rastafarians. There are  countless individual state and federal suits as well,  challenging SCDC on a variety of get tough on prisoner  policies.

Riots and escapes have dramatically increased at various  institutions, bringing forth the implementation of control  movement and a host of other policies. The policies are, in  many cases, designed to break the resistance of various  groups and prisoners in general. People of color and their  individual religions, way of life, and their cultural  practices are discouraged, attacked and labeled anti- christian and anti-european, which is illegal.

KCI-MSU (Alias SUPER Max) is full of political/Religious  prisoners of the aforementioned groups. Yes, it is  institutionalized white supremacy at its height. But surely  in the only state that flies the accused diversionary rebel  flag atop the state house dome, one could expect no less....

 -- A South Carolina Prisoner, 23 July 1997

 NEW CLOSE MANAGEMENT UNIT IN FLORIDA

... I am one of 1200 prisoners in Florida who have been  leased to Privatization Prison (Wakenhut). (South Bay  Correctional Facility).

A Close Management Unit has just been opened.

The food here sucks. The cops of Wakenhut security have  lousy attitudes (95% of them). Clothes come back from the  laundry wet and dingy. Counts last two hours. Telephones are  owned by a Wackenut Corp. and are ripping off families,  loved ones and attorneys. There is no warm water in the  cells, no cold water fountain in dorms, just tepid water.  Canteen prices are street prices or more. Medical is  tantamount to no medical treatment. A lot of cops aren't  certified. Food is served cold. Dish washers are not at  correct temperatures per regulations, etc. These bad points  definitely override the soft toilet paper and air  conditioning in this dungeon for dollars.

... Keep up the struggle for true freedom.

 -- A Florida Prisoner, 19 August 1997

 RAPID EXPANSION OF TEXAS PRISONS

My last thought concerns the vast expansion of TDCJ (Texas  Department of Criminal Justice) in less than tree years from  60,000 prisoners in 60 prisons to 130,000+ prisoners in 109  prisons. These men and women are forced to work for free in  the production of prison-made goods shipped to the other 49  states. 42USC 1994 makes peonage, the forced labor of a  person in payment of debt such as food and shelter a felony,  yet Texas convicts mush work for free. 18USC 1781 prevents  prison-made goods from shipment our of the state they were  produced in to stop unfair competition with private  businesses who have higher labor costs and must charge more  for their products.

By Amendment, Texas is the only state permitted to legally  break this law. New York to California taxpayers must  support the growing Texas prison system with their federal  tax money and by permitting Texas' unfair business  competition. I believe the purpose of the law was violated  by Texas. Repeal this amendment! Help keep Texas prison-made  goods inside Texas. Write to your newspaper and US  Congressmen citing this law and ask why must your state  support 109 Texas Prisons?

 -- A Texas Prisoner

 EXPOSING TEXAS HARASSMENT TACTICS

Hey I'm writing you this letter to give you all a big scoop  on my unit (Stiles) in Beaumont, Texas. A lot is being  violated here such as low portions of food.

...Also they have this system that Level 3's must get in a  Dog position as the pigs call it "Feeding Procedure". We get  on our knees with hands braced to the back of our head,  while the pigs laugh and etc. Now they will refuse your food  for not doing such a thing.

They have started making management cells, July 97, on 4  sections, about 8 cells or more, for people who these pigs  feel they need to retaliate on, and put them away with  nothing.

Also they started gassing first before running in the cells  of an inmate upon who they retaliate. These, redneck, all  these pigs, wear black gloves, like if they're supposed to  intimidate an inmate.

... So it has been pretty fucked up since they moved a lot  of decent rank. Now they retaliate, by messing with your  cells in unnecessary shakedowns, while they scatter  everything everywhere on the floor, especially for inmates  of the struggle....

 -- A Texas Prisoner, 10 July 1997

 POETRY

WANTING TO BE FREE

Locked away from society, living in a cell twenty-two hours  a day, it's every man's hell.

Expected to be strong and not to shed a tear, wondering if  love will survive is my only fear.

My mind keeps on struggling to keep itself sane, but this is  hard to do while dealing with misery's pain.

So I removed myself from the present and don't dwell upon  the past, but pray for the future and hope it will come  fast.

Until it does arrive and I can once again be free. I'm just  another number wanting to be free.

-- A Pennsylvania Prisoner 11 August 1997

 THOUGHTS OF A PRISONER

Endless days that count the years, no longer can I hold back  the tears. Serving time behind a wall, with no one to visit,  no one to call. Like a wild animal locked inside a gate,  waiting patiently for my parole date. No reason to feel any  sorrow, all I do is pray for tomorrow. Then one day the  gates will swing wide, that boy that's now a man steps  outside. As he leaves he looks behind, seeing the same wall  holding his own kind. The broken promises, the empty dreams,  the sorrow is stitched between the seams.

-- A Pennsylvania Prisoner 11 August 1997

 MIM NOTES: THE MOST CENSORED NEWSPAPER IN THE U$A

We at MIM Notes are the most censored newspaper in the U$A,  because so many prisoners ask for our paper and they cannot  obtain it, because of prison administrations that forbid it.

Prison administrations often cite the coverage of prisons as  the reason they give, but they have other bogus reasons they  give. They deny us outside prison the free speech to address  prisoners and they deny prisoners reading material, often in  cases where prisoners do not find anything else very  inspiring to read. For our efforts paying for literacy  improvement in prison, MIM gets its literature including  books thrown out by prison officials all the time. It only  underscores the suspicions of people outside the walls that  the real reason people end up in prison is not conforming to  the white bread views of mainstream Amerika.

In order to firmly expose the agents of repression,  prisoners, make sure you let us know of prison policies and  practice of censorship. We are compiling a list of these  nasty hypocritical prisoncrats that censor the news of the  masses.