by a Pennsylvania prisoner
You play with life, lost your heart and soul, When you can't take what you want, You use lies and manipulation to gain control.
Threats and Intimidation is the secret behind your power, Those you can't frighten, violence becomes the hour.
The existence of your system is coming to a close, Your treachery and deceit we the people begin to expose.
You pass unjust laws to lock a nation down, You assassinate the character of our leaders or plant them in the ground.
The man was naked lying in his bed, How was the pig justified shooting him in the head?
Nine MOVE members remain in prison and one on death row, Free our political prisoners let them all go.
You manufacture drugs for your own people and them give them time, Tell me who is the one committing a crime?
The East is gaining power the West is losing hers, Beware of the media for she plays colorfully with words.
You sell poison as a means of birth control, You put guns in the hands of children to collect more souls.
Michigan subjects prisoners to neo-slavery
The below excerpt was written in response to a RAIL May Day Pamphlet, "Celebrate May Day: Support Prisoner Workers", Factsheet of Michigan Prisoner labor, Thursday, May 1, 1997. For a copy, send s.a.s.e. to MIM.
...Your Michigan factory pay information is a little misleading. Nowhere in the MDOC [Michigan Department of Incorrections] do prisoners earn $2.00 to $5.00 per hour at any job unless employed with some outside business. To insure the veracity of this statement, I have spoken with five inmates all employed at MDOC farms. They said they made $3.00 to $5.00 dollars per day for 8-10 hours of backbreaking labor and only in certain types of jobs, of which there are very few.
The majority of inmates have no job at all and the majority of those employed make about $20.00 per month. Once employed they no longer receive free over the counter medications or free cosmetics, thus they must purchase all their living needs, except regular, "meals". This does not include all the other financial burdens imposed upon us, such as laundry. If you want to get your laundry done right and to make sure you get it back, you do not send it out to the state laundry, but instead pay a worker to personally machine wash it for about $4.00 per month. Hope that clears up some confusion regarding Michigan slave wages.
With Strength and Wisdom in the Struggle,
-- A Michigan Prisoner, 9 October 1997
IMPERIALISTS ARE THE REAL ENEMY
... I was transferred to this plantation in KKKolorado. The oppression and domination in the mountains of KKKolorado is basically the same but, more cynical at a higher altitude. The air is thinner, and so is the humanness of the treatment of the prisoners. The racial hatred and police tyranny pollutes the atmosphere. The Willie Lynch syndrome is in full effect on this plantation. Division and disorder is the rule among prisoners.
There are many gang members and gangs here. Many of which continually and perversely assault and injure each other over trivial and banal differences. As expected many fall into the genocidal trap created or put here by the oppressors. Many are mentally and spiritually dead and oblivious of the enemy devices and plantation plots.
In fact many of the prisoners in bondage here fail to realize exactly who the real enemy is. Especially, those who deem themselves as hardcore bonafide gang members. Their reasoning has been clouded with violence and ignorance, and obscures their ability to see who the real enemy is. Some of them see their fellow prisoners as the enemy, and yet the police as not. It is a strange situation.
Un[til] we deal with the ultimate enemy can we deal with each other, because when we are continually warring with one another, never will we be successful in defeating the enemy. ...
-- A Federal Prisoner, 15 July 1997
MIM ADDS: The above letter describes how the lumpen proletariat can be confused about who are their enemies. The imperialist pigs are the real enemy. The pigs try to pit different groups against one another in effort to divide and conquer the masses. Prisoners should unite and work with MIM and RAIL toward revolution. Expose the crimes of the imperialists and organize to end oppression.
UNITY IS POWER
... I am in a Maxi, Maxi, Max Prison in New York State, Southport Correctional Facility. This facility, years ago, was turned into what is called the box or hole. This is the main isolation box for all the New York State prisoners who violate the co-called prison/slave rules.
We are locked down 23 hours a day. There are no contact visits with our families or friends. Whenever we step out of cells, we must be handcuffed and chained to the waist. The yard is nothing but a yard full of 1-man cages, which is where we have our 1 hour of recreation. There are prisoners who go against the next prisoner. All they are doing, without knowing, is helping the oppressors do their psychological torture.
It is very doubtful that there will ever be unity in the New York State Prison system, the way there was unity on September 13, 1971, "The Attica Riots" These Prisoners died to attain what we are losing today. Today the oppressors are taking back everything the Prisoners of the Attica Riots died for. Soon, little by little, we will not have anything at all. The sad thing is, we are letting the oppressors take everything, and do nothing to stop it.
The way things are going today in the New York State Prison system -- prisoners going to war against each other. So I may not sound like a hypocrite, this has included me in the past. Giving the real enemies a show to watch, as the oppressors sit and bet on which prisoner is going to stab or knock-out the next one first.
To all Prisoners in New York State locked down, in the box or population: If you are reading this letter Please wake the hell up! And realize who is our real #1 enemy. I wear the same greens and have a state number just like you. You are not my enemy! The New York State DOC is our enemy! The Governor of New York State is our enemy. The Government of the United Snakes of Amerikkka is our enemy. They are the ones who do not want us to see light again. And if we are seeing light, freedom, want to lock us up like dogs.
Please, lets stop fighting each other and unify as one to overthrow our real enemy - the oppressors who oppress us morning, afternoon and evening with: their psychological mind games, playing with our food, disrespecting our visitors, letters and pictures.
Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying pick up the sword, No! Pick up the pens to fight the oppressors. ... Remember the pen is mightier than the sword. Let's wake up once and for all. ... Let's stop the war against each other, and unite against our real enemies - the oppressors. Remember Unity is Power. ...
Respectfully,
-- A New York Prisoner, 15 July 1997
MIM ADDS: The legacy of the Attica Rebellion proves that prisoners have the ability to unify toward revolution. Exposing the pigs for the criminals they are and knowing your enemies are revolutionary accomplishments demonstrated by this letter. The masses outnumber the imperialists, so we are confident that victory is inevitable with time. Keep up the struggle.
ATTICA ASSASSINATION DAY FAST
Revolutionary Greetings Comrades, This is the 26th year of Attica Assassination Day, and I have been fasting with two other brothers. And let me say this, I have never in the eight years that I have been down on this bid, be around the most cowardice people I have ever been around in my life. I explain to these punks what this fast is for and everybody says, "I'm with that." until the day came for us to fast.
What's important is that me and my Afrikan brothers stuck it out. I find it very sad that brothers are not willing to stand strong for brothers that died in the struggle for all prisoners. These crackers have these brothers so petrified that it's pathetic. What makes this even more sad is that this is the facility right next to Attica.
Some people tell me that I'm living in the past because of my rebellious ways, but that's just their justification for being a sorry ass Negro and having fear of this imperialist system that we live in. I never mind these cracker ass canines, because I am more concerned with my own kind.
This was not just a fast for the Attica brothers. It's a fast for all the brothers and sisters who stood up for us and struggle for us to make things better. It's also for my wife that I adore so much for standing by her husband all of these years. ...So I will always be a revolutionary with the struggle for the rest of my life.
-- A New York Prisoner, 13 September 1997
MIM ADDS: Thank you for informing us of your commemoration of Attica Prisoner Struggle. It is essential to learn from our revolutionary brothers and sisters whose legacy we are carrying on. We are quite willing to help by sending MIM Notes and other materials so that you can educate prisoners around you. Organizing takes a lot of work to build strong foundations for acts of defiance, we must first educate and struggle. Don't give up on your fellow prisoners who are afraid of the pigs. You are leading by example and not living in the past.
HELL ON EARTH IN TEXAS
... In 1996, i was personally refused treatment by an RN [Registered Nurse] at Ellis One Unit in Huntsville. Three days later, unconscious and near death i was sent to Sealy Hospital via Emergency Air ambulance.
i was rushed unconscious to surgery to remove a porta-cath device from my right pectoral. Not a life or death surgery, it had nothing to do with my diabetic keto-acidocious, or pneumonia, which were the causes of my illness. i had already refused previous attempted to remove it so prison doctors and nurses would not have to service it monthly.
During this minor surgery i died on the operating table. Was i too weak, had too much anesthetic, who knows? Records were altered, info left out. They covered their asses. i was on life support for four days, until someone read in my medical file that i had a no recessitation clause. Thinking here is a way out, to cover their asses, they disconnected the machine breathing for me, covered me up and pronounced me dead for good.
Fuck that said my brain. It's not time to go and i started breathing on my own, though still unconscious for three more days...
On the 7th day in intensive care i woke up. i could not move, and barely speak. In days to come i could not walk or feed myself, could not remember my family, etc.
...The Prison Chaplain told my family every day that i was fine, and recovering with no problems. I have scars at my Achilles tendon on both feet from leg shackles while unconscious in my coma state. Scars on my spine from whatever apparatus i was confined in also.
I was in the hospital from August 96 to November 96. Now I have to use a walker due to paralysis in right arm and leg. To date, 10 June 97, I have had no physical therapy, and not one treatment that was ordered by Sealy Hospital. I was sent to a unit (i am almost 50) where the average age is 25, for "Better Medical care than i could get at Ellis One."
First thing the prison doctor told me was no pain meds or therapy are given here. So here i sit. In six months i have gained 40 plus pounds. Had no treatment other than basic diabetic needs. In constant pain, no care, no lawyer, no shit, with 16 years to parole date.
Don't get me wrong. i'm not crying, even though i'm dying here. I just thought people should know what's going on. I didn't hear this shit somewhere, i am living and dying it everyday, Hell on earth in Texas, one day at a time.
-- A Texas Prisoner, 10 June 1997
CHAINED TO A BED FOR FIVE DAYS
Dear MIM, This is a situation I went through within the confinement of Atlanta, USP [United Snakes Penitentiary] On July 1, 1997 my celly was kicking on the door of our cell in administrative segregation. My celly wanted to be moved to another cell. But a Lt. Cortrette and 4 other officers came to the door and told my celly that if he kicks the door again he will chain both of us down.
I then asked the Lt. Why would he chain me down? He then said, "Shut Up!" I then told him to shut up. He told me and my celly to cuff-up. We both complied. After I was handcuffed and the door was opened, Lt. Cortrette and the other officers wrestled me to the floor and put feet shackles around my ankles.
Once I had handcuffs and feet shackles on lying face down, Lt. Cortrette gets on my back and bangs my head on the bottom of the bed leg, made out of steel, until my forehead was busted. I had to have 3 stitches in my forehead.
Then Lt. Cortrette had me chained to the bed on my back for 5 days straight. Then wrote me a false incident report saying that I assaulted him while in handcuffs.
He did this to justify my injury. I presently have litigation in court against Lt. Cortrette. This same Lt. Cortrette has assaulted a very large number of prisoners, only after they were handcuffed. I believe that if we don't get rid of this sadistic animal he will soon kill a fellow prisoner. I'm asking the readers to write to:
Director of Bureau of Prisons, Kathleen Hawk, 320 First St. NW, Washington, DC 20534
Ask for an investigation into the assaults at Atlanta United States Penitentiary, PO Box PMB, Atlanta, GA 30315.
Thank you,
-- A Federal Prisoner, 12 August 1997
MIM RESPONDS: We commend the above prisoner for exposing the brutality of the Amerikkkan injustice system. In addition we hope that your litigation may provide you with some temporary relief from the brutality. But remember that this Pig is only one minor cog in the huge machine of oppression. He is supported by the imperialists and most likely rewarded for his brutality.
Often imperialist pigs will try to single out individuals as bad cops or rogue officers to distract people from the criminal system that breeds these individuals. They want people to believe that police are good and just and only a few are brutal. This is not true. The cops and prisoncrats make up the social control branch of the oppressive imperialist system. It is their job to be brutal and to oppress the masses.
So file lawsuits, or write letters of protest, but keep in mind these are short-term reformist battles that must be waged in the context of revolution. The oppression will continue until the imperialists are eventually overthrown.
MICHIGAN PRISONER FACES RETALIATION FOR EXPOSING ABUSES
Dear Mao Comrades; ... The MIM Notes, in fact, have been such a great learning experience and inspiration that I was kidnapped and placed further in the belly of beast, called rats holes, cages or detention blocks. [This was] for sending out a letter to local authorities expressing the will and suffering of dead spirit-prisoners here in Adrian, MI. This letter was sent also to the Michigan Department of (IN)Corrections exposing the European Supremacy via the Guards wearing KKK Head garments; the constant subtle harassment, and unreasonable lockdowns with no explanation.
The letter was vague but it revealed all the tactics this facility has been using to mount tensions creating an atmosphere for an uprising. Mind you I am the Assistant Minister of an Islamic organization and I hold some very strong views which I conveyed to the modern day Roman Administration and they brought me up on some trumped up, bogus, insane charges of conspiracy to incite a riot. This was in February that I was placed in the death of hell, as a way of retaliating against me. Thus they sought to mind- torture me for using what they consider unflattering words.
Well say not truth breed hatred and I will avoid it; dissimulation raise friends and I will follow it. Are the enemies made by truth better than the friends obtained by flattery? I can not please man and please my Creator. To displease man very often pleases the Creator-Allah. ...
Using the phrase, "Possibility of a riot." was that which they used to write this major misconduct [report so] that [I] could have a traumatic experience.
... My statement did not imply a riot or was organizing a riot. But I forgot these fascist dictators are taught what to think and not how to think. Thus reason is not even a topic of discussion.
After evaluation we concluded that this whole process was used as a tool to neutralize good bold effective leadership by targeting and labeling them as a "SECURITY THREAT GROUP". Which is a new policy in Michigan prisons. Basically its a policy program like the one created under J. Edgar Hoover who sought to destroy any courageous leaders "By any means Necessary."
They tortured my comrade and me for 10 days; knowing that we were innocent of these charges and never have been associated with be gang members.
... They thought they were going to break our struggling spirit by sending us to the torture chamber... However Allah teaches us that no weapon formed against the righteous will stand. Thus in March 1997 we were vindicated. But I am sure they are going to keep trying until we are in a secure maximum dungeon or dead. That still won't prevent me from exposing these repressive snake grawlers they are. Trying to put themselves up as some law living citizens when they are modern day Herod killers attempting to destroy the Afrikan leadership in these kkkoncetration kkkamps.
The families and the public need to know about these carpet-hidden truths of oppression that are overwhelming in prisons. And we, as the rejected and forgotten in prison, are not using this as a crutch for attention. This shit repression is real and I hope one day you begin to understand the nature and intent of these kkkoncentration kkkamps termed prison. Even if you do not understand our pain and suffering we still need your support.
Please help us here in Michigan prisons but particularly in Adrian, MI. Or all hell can break out and your uncles, sons, daughters, cousins, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, etc will be altered mentally and spiritually from this experience or perhaps totally annihilated.
... The Roman Guard just brought a letter to me written by the inspector requesting for a re- hearing. As he believes the charges should be sustained and wants us found guilty. I told you that they would not stop short of trying to kill our reputation as good leaders....
Yours in the Struggle,
-- A Michigan Prisoner, March 9, 1997
OHIO PRISONERS' STRIKE AGAINST OPPRESSION
The call went out through Ohio gulags for all state prisoners to remain on their lock, or cells and to refuse to participate in any and all prison activities on November 1, 1997. Prisoners have organized this peaceful protest to oppose proposed legislation which does not halt 'multiple flops' handed down by the Parole board to force prisoners to endure "indeterminate sentences" to several thousand Technical Parole Violators (TPVs).
Since the call originated, prison officials have retaliated against individuals whom the prisoncrats claim organized the stoppage.
MIM fully supports the struggles of prisoners languishes in the Amerikan gulags to expose and organize against national oppression, social control and specifically, long, indefinite and purposeless sentences. We currently have limited information on the status of the Ohio work stoppage and resulting events. We urge prisoners to use the pages of MIM Notes to expose the atrocities in Ohio prisons and prisons across Amerika. The below was released by prisoner organizers of the stoppage.
WHAT PRISONERS WANT...
1. Prisoners want all prisoners who have been placed in isolation as a result of this work stoppage released from isolation, and any conduct reports for refusal to work removed from their records. We want an investigation into any use of force that results from this peaceful work stoppage by state legislators.
2. We want TPVs who have been back in the system more than 9 months, released on parole, as would be the case if these prisoners were under the new sentencing laws of S.B. 2, which became law in 1996.
3. We want an end to multiple flops which extends the amount of time a prisoner serves far past what would be served if prisoners were serving time under S.B. 2.
4. In regards to "life" sentences, lifers want a meaningful halftime review, and not a meaningless "paper" review. Lifers want hearings where they are actually present. There is nothing in purposed legislation that would remedy the abuses from the parole board concerning life sentences.
5. In general, prisoners want sentences modified to reflect what we would have if we were under S.B. 2.
6. We want the phones turned back on so we can verify that the state government has agreed to the above. If the phones aren't turned back on we can't contact our outside representatives.
PRISONERS WANT EQUAL JUSTICE!